Pasig eyes rapid testing for returning workers

“We want to require rapid testing then confirmatory PCR (polymerase chain reaction) here in Pasig,” said Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto in a tweet on Monday. (File photo: Vico Sotto/Facebook)

MANILA — The Pasig City government is eyeing to require returning workers to undergo rapid testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as Metro Manila transitioned to modified enhanced community quarantine.

“We want to require rapid testing then confirmatory PCR (polymerase chain reaction) here in Pasig,” said Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto in a tweet on Monday.

Sotto made this statement in response to Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire who said that employees are not required to undergo Covid-19 test prior to returning to work.

The local government unit, he said, can facilitate the PCR tests. However, the availability of the rapid test kits could become a challenge.

“The LGU can take care of the confirmatory PCR testing but the problem is where will small companies get rapid test kits?,” Sotto said, adding that even the Pasig LGU is having a hard time in finding available test kits.

Meanwhile, Vergeire earlier said those returning employees who have coronavirus-like symptoms are recommended to undergo Covid-19 tests.

“Our protocol is to guide employers, we have emphasized that symptomatic screening is ideal, and test only when symptomatic. IATF resolution stated that in no case shall testing be a condition for return to work, so we expect that specific agencies shall implement and enforce the IATF resolutions,” she said in a Viber message to reporters.