A quote from Joint Taskforce COVID Shield Commander Lt. Gen. Guillero Eleazar appeared on ABS-CBN News’s Facebook page (see screen shot below):

“Dahil suspended ang public transport, pinapayagan na ang backriding sa [modified enhanced community quarantine] provided na ang angkas o backride ay essential worker or [authorized persons outside of residence] at ang travel niya is work-related regardless kung ang driver is kamag-anak niya, whether APOR o non-APOR.”

Translated:

Due to the suspension of public transport, back riding is allowed under the modified enhanced community quarantine provided that the backrider is an essential worker or authorized persons outside of residence, and that the travel is work related regardless if the driver is a family member whether APOR or non-APOR.

There are two other conditions: one, the plastic pillion barrier is required, and the motorcycle is privately owned (not for hire).

While this move surely helps individuals who need to get to and from work despite the NCR’s reversion back to MECQ, it also puts into question why the IATF needed to limit back riding to couples in the less strict GCQ. Could this signal a shift in direction for the IATF for motorcycle back riders when Manila goes back to GCQ or is this a sign that the IATF just said, “screw it?”