MANILA - A lawmaker on Sunday urged the government's inter-agency task force (IATF) against COVID-19 to allow motorcycle taxis to resume operations, subject to such protocols as installing plastic shields between driver and passenger.

This would help motorbike drivers reclaim their livelihood, and offer cheaper, faster and more convenient means of transport for workers who "get stranded or (arrive) late" to their jobs, according to Quezon City Rep. Precious Castelo.

“They have already permitted motorbike taxis to resume operations in Indonesia. If they can do it, we can do it to help millions of our people who still have no jobs and income due to quarantine restrictions," Castelo said.

Aside from the plastic barrier, the driver must also wear personal protective equipment while the passenger should have a personal helmet and face mask to ensure hygiene protocols, Castelo said.

Cashless payment should be adopted, and the use of government-endorsed contact tracing app StaySafe could be required, she added.

Work and public transport resumed at limited capacity on June 1, when Metro Manila and other urban areas transitioned to a looser lockdown after 11 weeks of lockdown.

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