Navotas residents caught violating safety protocols need to undergo RT-PCR test

Residents of Navotas City caught violating health protocols including curfew will be made to undergo RT-PCR testing, according to a report on News TV Live on Sunday.

Effective Monday, March 15, first time offenders will have to schedule the swab test within a week after being caught for the violation.

For those caught a second time, a mandatory RT-PCR test will also be required if the first offense occurred more than 14 days prior to the violation. The person will also have to pay P500 or render 16 hours of community service.

For those caught for the third time, if they are minors, the parent or guardian will be made to undergo mandatory RT-PCR test. The fine is P500 or 16 hours of community service.

Mayor Toby Tiangco said the penalties are included in City Ordinance No. 2021-17 which covers those caught violating the curfew, failing to wear face mask, and failing to observe social distancing.

"Kung dati, kailangan nilang magmulta, ngayon ay RT-PCR swab test na po ang ipagagawa natin sa mga lumalabag sa ating safety protocols. Ang dahilan ng patakaran ng pagsuot ng face mask, pagdistansya ng hindi bababa sa isang metro at ang curfew ay para maiwasan ang hawaan ng COVID-19. Sa hindi pagsunod sa mga ito, lalo na sa hindi pagsuot ng face mask sa tamang paraan, napakalaki ng tsansa ng hawaan ng COVID-19. Kaya ipapa-RT-PCR test na ang mga lumalabag para malaman kung sila ay nahawa na sa COVID-19 at para mapigilan na maikalat pa nila ang virus," he wrote on Facebook.

The local government unit will pay for the cost of the test.

On Monday, March 15, the curfew hours will be uniform throughout Metro Manila, starting at 10 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m.

The curfew hours were expanded amid the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila. —KG, GMA News