Here’s an additional expense for motorcycle users.
Motorcycle drivers and their passengers are required to wear helmets that have full-face visors in the National Capital Region, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia said today.
In an interview with Unang Hirit, Garcia said the order came from the Joint Task Force COVID Shield. Using a full-face visor is preferable than using a face shield, which could lead to accidents due to aerodynamics.
Read: Motorcycle barriers no longer required for riders living in same house, says Eleazar
“When it comes to helmets, they have what you call a full-face visor. This is a plastic visor that reaches up to the chin. This is the substitute,” he said in English and Filipino.
“If people will use a plastic face shield when on board a motorcycle, it’s not safe. It will be blown away by the wind unlike a full-face visor [that’s attached to the helmet]. That’s the standard when riding a motorcycle. That’s why the visor or shield of the helmet has to reach up to the chin. This has to be worn with a [face] mask during the entire trip,” he said.
Read: Filipino couples living together finally allowed to ride in one motorcycle
The new rule was first announced on Saturday by the MMDA, and it also provided images online on how the visor would appear when used in different types of helmets.
“The visor or shield has to reach the chin area of the helmet. It has to be worn with a mask for the entire journey,” the agency said.
Motorcycle riders have complained for months about being subjected to a slew of rules which they said defied logic, including prohibiting spouses from riding pillion. The rule was reversed, but only if the riders would use a motorcycle barrier to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, the use of the shields reportedly led to several accidents, prompting the government to allow couples to travel even without using the said contraption.
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