NTF-COVID-19 requires riders to wear full face visor helmets at all times

The National Task Force on Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) is requiring motorcycle drivers and their passengers to wear full-face visor helmets now that the Metro Manila has eased up lockdown measures to general community quarantine (GCQ) status.

Approved types of full face visor helmets include open face helmet, modular helmet, and full face helmet. The wearing of full-face visor helmets should reach the chin and must then be accompanied by a face mask underneath, according to the task force.

The announcement coincides with the task force’s order that married or live-in couples no longer need to have a barrier between them while riding pillion on a motorcycle.

“Ayon sa NTF COVID, required ang pagsuot ng helmet na may full-face visor para sa drayber at angkas ng motorsiklo ngayong GCQ,” the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said in a Facebook post.

“Kailangan abot hanggang baba ang visor o shield ng helmet. Dapat isuot ito kasama ng mask sa buong biyahe. Isa lamang ito sa mga nilabas na guidelines ng NTF COVID tungkol sa motorcycle backriding sa panahon ng GCQ,” the post continued.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently allowed the resumption of riding pillion on a motorcycle under GCQ, while also putting put a stop to the nonsensical policy of requiring married or live-in couples to have a barrier between them while traveling.

The DILG announced that in areas under the GCQ, the NTF COVID-19 is now allowing riders living in the same house to not use a motorcycle barrier anymore, as long as the passenger is an authorized person outside of residence (APOR).

The driver however, does not have to be an APOR.

DILG defines an APOR as an individual who is employed by an industry allowed to operate by the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). These industries include manufacturing, food preparation, retail, media, gas stations, waste disposal, laundry shops, healthcare, medicine, and utilities, to name a few.

A company ID or certificate of employment is enough proof that a worker is an APOR.

However, riders not living in the same house must use the Angkas-designed barriers or other similar devices approved by the National Task Force COVID-19.

The motorcycle must also be privately owned and not for hire.

Metro Manila has been under GCQ since August 18, after reverting back to modified enhanced community quarantine last August 4.

Photo/s from Philippine News Agency, MMDA Facebook page

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