Antigen tests show 99 MRT-3 personnel positive for COVID-19

Metro Rail Transit Line 3. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 99 out of the 696 workers of the MRT-3 tested positive for COVID-19 in antigen tests, the MRT-3 management said Wednesday.

The MRT-3 management said the tests, which were done on Jan. 3, were done as a precautionary measure for the post-holiday return of employees as well as the spike of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.

It was also due to the directive of the Department of Transportation to have all railway personnel tested for the disease.

“Those who tested antigen-positive will undergo a confirmatory RT-PCR test. Them, as well as their identified direct contacts, have been required to go on quarantine until re-tested and confirmed negative,” the management said in a statement.

It added that antigen testing and confirmatory RT-PCR testing will continue for the rest of the week until all personnel is tested.

The MRT-3 added that it will also start within the week the random antigen testing of consenting passengers.

Under Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila, the physical reporting in the MRT-3 depot is limited to 60%.

The MRT-3 management said it is implementing additional health and safety protocols to further limit the interaction between stations personnel and passengers.

All passenger-facing personnel is required to wear full personal protective equipment (face mask, face shield, gloves, and gowns) to avoid contact between themselves and passengers.

Inside the depot, protective barriers in individual work stations of all personnel have been installed, along with proper hand hygiene and sanitation facilities, MRT-3 said.

Regular temperature checking on all entry points will also be observed. Disinfection of all facilities is also religiously followed, the management added.

/MUF