I guess this is good news for all couples out there!

Finally, after almost four months of halting motorcycle backriding, the government allowed it starting on Friday but strictly for ‘couples’ only.

Riders need to put a protective shield between them and the passenger. It should cover past the head with handles attached to its poles, and most importantly, wearing of face mask and helmet must be followed as a part of the new normal measure.

“Simula bukas, papayagan na natin 'yung backriding para sa mga couple at 'yung prototype model na isinubmit ni Gov. Art Yap ay approved na ‘yan ng NTF (National Task Force),” Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said in an interview on ABS-CBN Teleradyo. 

Año said in a separate interview that the lift will be implemented nationwide in areas under modified general community quarantine and general community quarantine. 

“Maganda ito sapagkat talagang protektado 'yung passenger pero s'yempre kailangan dito ang pag-iingat sa pagda-drive. Dapat susunod talaga tayo sa speed limit at saka kakaibang panahon ito, nabago natin configuration ng motorsiklo dapat dobleng pag-iingat sa pagda-drive,” he said.

Couples who are allowed for backriding must be living in the same household. 

“Living in the same household, whether they are married, or they are common-law husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend but they are living in the same household,” he said. 

To make sure that all rules will be observed, there will be having random checks, couples may show their IDs as proof that they bear the same surname or address or another way that can prove that they are couples living in the same household.

“Meron naman tayong National IATF guidelines. Pag ‘di sila sumunod dyan violation ng EO 112 at marami pang kaukulang kaso pwedeng i-apply dyan,” Año said.