DAVAO CITY — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has ordered the departments of Transportation, Science and Technology, and Health; the Metro Manila Development Authority; and, the Bureau of Philippine Standards to look for the “safest and effective” manner to ensure the safe back-riding in the midst of the still uncontained coronavirus pandemic.
During the Laging Handa briefing aired over the government-owned PTV-4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said back-riding on motorcycles will soon be allowed despite the strict quarantine restrictions in the fight against coronavirus.
The DoTr along with DOST, DOH, MMDA and BPS, have been directed to convene and determine the safest and most effective way to reduce the rate of transmission in back-riding on motorcycles), Roque said.
Since the coronavirus pandemic hit the country in February, the government imposed a no back-ride policy on motorbikes as the threat of possible contamination is high, an order which affected many residents especially those who use said mode of transportation for their families.
But due to the growing clamor to allow a back-ride, the IATF-EID passed Resolution 47 which was approved on Friday, to review the possibility to allow back-riding.
During the same television program, Roque said guidelines would be crafted to ensure the proper enforcement of safety protocols for back-riding.
“Pinapayagan na in principle ang back riding upon the approval of the requirements na ise-set ng technical working group. Hintay-hintay na lang po muna (Back-riding on motorcycles is already allowed in principle upon the approval of the requirements set by the technical working group. So let’s just wait),” Roque said.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he could not allow motorcycle back-riding because strict physical distancing cannot be observed.
The government feared that social distancing might be compromised “Baka naman yung kawalan ng social distancing ang maging dahilan para magkasakit at mamatay. So ingat po at palaging isipin, habang walang bakuna, habang walang gamot, banta po ang Covid-19 (the lack of social distaning might be a reason for people to get sick and die. So, be careful, and always think that in the absence of vaccine, absence of medicine, covid-19 is still a threat).
Roque appealed to the public to observe physical distancing, as he warned that Covid-19 remains a threat to the country.-Newsline
