Negative PCR test result may be required when entering Senate, says Sotto

MANILA, Philippines— A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test may be required when going to the Senate once stricter safety measures are in place, Senate President Vicente “Tito”  Sotto III said on Monday.

Sotto said the Senate is now looking at imposing stricter protocols after Senator  Ronald Dela Rosa tested positive for the virus.

Dela Rosa is the fifth senator infected with the virus after  Majority  Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri,  Aquilino  “Koko” Pimentel  III,  Sonny Angara and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

“We are reviewing the protocols baka mas maging mas mahigpit pa ng konti pa ang gagawin  nating mga protocols like yung mga body guard o mga alalay hindi na pasasakayin sa  elevator, yung senador lang,” Sotto said in an online interview with reporters.

(We are reviewing the protocols. The protocols may be a bit stricter like bodyguards or aides will no longer be allowed to use the elevator. It will be limited to  senators  only)

In limiting the use of elevators, the Senate leader pointed out that bodyguards and drivers are more exposed to the virus as they usually stay outside the building, unlike the chamber’s staff who follow certain protocols.

Sotto said daily disinfection may now also be done in the Senate.

“Para sigurado,” he said, “But then  baka higpitan na talaga, hindi na pwede yung rapid test. Pupunta ka ng Senate, you have to be PCR-tested na negative ka…”

(Just to be sure. But then we would really be stricter. A rapid test is no longer allowed.  If you go to the Senate, you have to have a negative  PCR test result.)

The RT-PCR  is said to be the most reliable test for Covid-19 screening.

Sotto, though, clarified that the Secretariat is still reviewing the protocols and would release it to the public once it is finalized. [ac]