FILE PHOTO: A vendor at Pritil Public Market gets a free swab test amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tondo, Manila, Philippines, October 8, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
MANILA, Philippines — Residents of Manila who are returning from their holiday vacations in the provinces will be required to undergo swab testing for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) before they are allowed to enter their respective barangays.
In a memorandum to barangay officials dated Dec. 29, the Manila Barangay Bureau said all Manila residents returning home after Jan. 2 must go directly to testing facilities in their respective districts before they could go home.
They must also stay at the assigned quarantine facility while waiting for their test results, which are expected to be released within a day or two.
“Upang maiwasan ang muling pagtaas ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa lungsod ng Maynila pagkatapos ng panahon ng kapaskuhan, ang lahat ng tao na babalik sa ating lungsod simula Enero 2, 2021 ay kinakailangan na sumailalim sa RT-PCR o swab test bago tanggapin sa kanilang barangay,” the memorandum read.
(To avoid a spike in the cases of COVID-19 in Manila after the Christmas season, everyone who returns to the city starting January 2, 2021, are required to undergo RT-PCR or swab test before they are allowed entry in their respective barangays.)
Meanwhile, those coming from Metro Manila cities are not required to undergo a swab test but they may volunteer to get tested.
“If returnee will come from within Metro Manila: Returnees may volunteer to get tested, Manila Health Department will accommodate them,” Dr. Arnold Pangan, the acting City Health Officer, said.
“If returnee will come from outside Metro Manila: Returnees are required to undergo swab testing,” he added.
The cost of testing will be shouldered by the local government, Manila City Public Information Office chief Julius Leonen said.
“Case-to-case basis naman po, if isang araw lang or overnight, and resident naman po talaga siya ng Manila City, then no need na [magpa-swab], unless magpa-voluntary swab test siya. Dr. Pangan said they will accommodate them,” he added.
(The testing will be on a case-to-case basis. If the resident will only stay for one day or overnight outside Manila, then there is no need for her or him to get tested, unless he or she volunteers).
Returning Manila residents must go to the following quarantine/swabbing facilities:
District 1 – T. Paez Quarantine Facility
District 2 – Patricia Sports Complex Quarantine Facility
District 3 – Arellano Quarantine Facility
District 4 – Dapitan Sports Complex Quarantine Facility
District 5 – San Andres Sports Complex Quarantine Facility
District 6 – Bacood Quarantine Facility
Those who will test positive for COVID-19 will be brought to quarantine facilities.
Meanwhile, a medical certificate stating a negative swab test result will be issued to those who will be found negative for COVID-19. The certificate will have to be presented to their respective barangay officials for them to be allowed to return to their homes.
As of noon of Jan. 2, 2021, Manila City has recorded 36 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the number of confirmed active cases to 298.
The number of recoveries rose to 23,900 after 52 new recoveries while the death toll is 750.
The country’s capital so far has a total of 24,498 confirmed COVID-19 cases.