Duterte: Obey rules, but workers not required to undergo test

WITH the relaxation of some quarantine restrictions, Presi dent Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night, May19, reiterated the need for the people to observe social distancing, wear masks and obey the minimum health protocols to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

However, he repeated the is still out there. statements of government “Remember this: The loosening agencies that private sector of the restrictions...does employees are not required to not mean wala na ang Covid undergo diagnostic testing for (that Covid-19 has been eradicated). the novel coronavirus, or SarsCoV-2, Covid will remain with the highly infectious us until such time that agent that causes Covid-19. nabakunahan tayong lahat

“There is no requirement (until all of us are immunized na kailangan kang magpatest. against it),” he said. It is not a requirement. He warned that even immunized It is not a mandatory requirement, individuals remain at kundi kung ginusto lang risk, just as those who have ng employer. It is not a requirement been inoculated against existing by DOLE or DTI. diseases still get sick. No such requirement exists,” “The corona(virus) will not Duterte said. disappear. It is here for all

He said what government time,” he added. is emphasizing is the need to Trade Secretary Ramon comply with social distancing, Lopez, who attended the wearing of masks, frequent meeting with the President hand washing, proper cough Tuesday night, again clarified etiquette and other health that not all private sector pr ot ocol s. workers are required to undergo

Addressing both those who diagnostic testing for are required to stay home and the virus prior to returning to those who are allowed to go work. out, return to work or pursue Based on the guidelines set their sources of livelihood, by the Department of Trade Duterte stressed that the virus and Industry (DTI) and the

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Lopez said companies are required to ensure social distancing, require wearing of masks, provide sanitation or disinfection facilities and conduct daily thermal scanning.

Employees, for their part, are required to make a health declaration daily, indicating whether they are sick or not and disclosing any contact with an individual who has been found positive for the novel coronavirus.

If they are sick or had possible exposure to the virus, they would be required to undergo the RT-PCR (reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction) test.

“Yun lang po ang ire-require natin ng PCR test. Yun po ay alinsunod sa protocol, sa guidelines po, na binigay din sa atin ng Department of Health. In other words, hindi po natin nire-require ang lahat ng workers ay magpa-test,” Lopez said.

He said reports saying that employees are required to undergo a diagnostic test did not come from the government .

“From the government, malinaw po na kung sino lang ang may karamdaman, kung sino ang suspect, yun lang po ang ipi-PCR test natin. At may protocol na rin kung saan dadalhin,” he added.

(From the government, it is clear that only those who are sick or are suspect cases will undergo the RT-PCR test. There is already a protocol for t hi s.)

He said the cost of a diagnostic RT-PCR test up to P8,000 is covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and private healthcare insurance pr ovi der s.

“So, hindi po sasagutin ng workers. At kung meron mang lagpas pa doon ang aabutin ng cost, yun naman po ay ang kompanya na ang puedeng sumagot,” Lopez said, adding that the cost of one RT-PCR test would not reach P8,000.

Companies are also asked to provide shuttle services or provide temporary accommodation facilities nearby for their employees considering that public transport systems remain suspended in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine ( M ECQ) .

Companies should also consider continuing workfrom-home and other flexible arrangements, Lopez added.

Placed under MECQ from May 16 to May 31 are Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga including Angeles City and Zambales.

Only the cities of Cebu and Mandaue in Cebu remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 31.

The rest of the country has shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ), which already allows public transport systems to resume operations at limited capaci t y.

(MVI/ SunStar Philippines)