Manila requires swab test for residents returning from vacation

FILE: A Philippine Coast Guard personnel gets specimen samples from one of the 400 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during a swab test shortly upon the OFWs’ arrival via Qatar Airways flight QR3150 on Monday (Aug. 17, 2020). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – Returning residents who spent their holiday vacation outside the city of Manila would be required to undergo a swab test for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) before they are allowed entry in their respective barangays (villages) starting Saturday.

This was stated in a memorandum issued by the Manila Health Department (MHD) and was cascaded by the Manila Barangay Bureau to the city’s 897 barangays on Dec. 29, 2020.

“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 (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 barangay),” the memorandum read.

Manila public information officer Julius Leonen said returning residents should go directly to the quarantine facility upon their return and that the swab test will be given for free.

The memorandum states that all those who will undergo the swab test may go to the nearest quarantine/swabbing facility in their district as follows:

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

While waiting for their test results, those who underwent the swab test may stay at a facility nearest to their barangay.

Those who would yield a positive swab test result will be brought to the quarantine facility for confirmed Covid-19 cases.

Meanwhile, a medical certificate stating a negative swab test result will be issued to those who will be found negative for Covid-19 and would have to be presented to barangay officials for them to be allowed to return to their homes.

For clarifications and further questions, the Manila Emergency Operation Center (MEOC) may be reached through their hotline numbers: 89262380/ 89262383/ 89262385/ 89262386.

As of Saturday noon, Manila City has recorded 36 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the number of confirmed active Covid-19 cases to 298.

The number of recoveries is now at 23,900 after 52 new recoveries were reported.

The total number of death is 750.

The city so far has a total of 24,498 confirmed Covid-19 cases.