NTF partners with McDonald's to strengthen COVID-19 testing of fastfood's employees

The National Task Force against COVID-19 has partnered with McDonald's Philippines in providing RT-PCR testing for the fast food chain's employees in Metro Manila amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to McDonald's Philippines president and CEO Kenneth Yang, the community testing initiative aims to ensure a safe workplace for its employees and dining experience for the customers.

"In McDonald's, safety has always been our priority, not just with food, but with people as well. Kasi sa McDonald's po naniniwala kami na if our employees, who are our frontliners, if they are safe po then we are able to keep our customers safe," Yang said during the launch of the expanded testing program on Friday.

"Sa McDonald's po ang ating sanitation and disinfection standards, we are always strengthening them. This project is another way of strengthening that," he added.

The fastfood chain is aiming to test over 19,000 of its crew and managers in four identified mega swabbing facilities at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Lakeshore Bicutan in Taguig, and Palacio de Maynila in Manila.

McDonald’s also donated three testing booths to the local government of Pasig City to support its testing initiatives.

Meanwhile, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the NTF against COVID-19, said the partnership is timely as under the Phase 3 of the National Action Plan, the government is aiming to strengthen the relationship between private and public sectors in fighting the pandemic.

"This program is very timely kasi po sa NAP 3 natin, kailangan po talaga ng symbiotic relationship between the public and the private sector. Ito po nakita natin, gumaganda po ang ating mga numbers," Galvez said.

"Nagpapasalamat po kami sa McDonald's dahil 'yung kanilang McDonald's Safe program nakita natin na they are protecting their own frontliners, 'yung mga employees nila, more or less 20,000 'yung kanilang itetest," he added.

Galvez said he is hoping that other business sectors will imitate McDonald's initiative.

"Napakagandang halimbawa na sana pamarisan din ng ibang business sector na they have to protect their own frontliners... and at the same time, they can protect 'yung tinatawag nating confidence ng consumers to dine-in..." Galvez said.—AOL, GMA News