Returning OFWs to undergo mandatory rapid testing – IATF

April 21, 2020

All returning overseas Filipinos workers, whether land-based or sea-based, have to undergo mandatory rapid testing for coronavirus disease infection once they arrive in the country, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases said on Tuesday.

In a virtual press briefing, IATF Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said repatriated OFWs have to undergo 14-day facility-based quarantine before they are allowed to go home.

"All arriving Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), whether land-based or sea-based, shall be required to undergo a mandatory fourteen-day facility-based quarantine, and shall be subject to rapid antibody testing for COVID-19 in accordance with Department Memorandum 2020-0180 issued by the Department of Health," he said.

For sea-based OFWs onboard cruise ships who have been issued with the clean bill of health by the Bureau of Quarantine, upon presentation of a certificate of completion of 14-day quarantine issued at the point of origin immediately before departure, shall be subjected to a rapid test also and shall be managed in accordance with the DOH memorandum, the official said.

Nograles noted that the Department of Foreign Affairs has facilitated the repatriation of 16,682 OFWs, of whom 13,213 are seafarers and 3,469 are land-based.

As of Tuesday, Nograles also said there are 17 testing laboratories nationwide, including the Philippine Red Cross facility.

He said 40 more facilities are in the pipeline for accreditation by the DOH.

"We are confident that we will be able to quickly add to the 55,465 individuals we have tested to date," he said.

Starting Wednesday, Nograles said the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal in Pier 15 in Manila, which was converted into COVID-19 treatment facility, would be fully equipped with medical requirements for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and would be ready to accommodate persons who are showing mild symptoms.

As of April 18, a total of 3,052 quarantine facilities for suspected COVID-19 and mild COVID-19 cases with  211,474 beds have been established nationwide.

"This does not include the mega quarantine facilities or We Heal As One Centers such as the ASEAN Convention Center, NCC Athlete’s Village, NCC NGAC, which together provide close to 2,000 additional beds," Nograles said.

At the same time, Nograles reassured that there will be sufficient supply of essential food amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

"The Department of Agriculture is undertaking efforts to ensure aufficient supply of rice by the end of June equivalent to around 18 million metric tons of rice which is sufficient for 84 days, 1.95 million metric tons of chicken that is sufficient for 62 days, and 1.12 million metric tons of pork," he said.

The whole of Luzon, including Metro Manila, has been under ECQ since March 17 and it will end on April 30 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As of Monday afternoon, the Department of Health reported 6,459 COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, with 613 recoveries and 428 deaths. Celerina Monte/DMS