LGUs, GOCCs told to identify facilities that may be used for quarantine

Local government units on Friday were directed to identify government facilities which may be temporarily used for quarantine purposes amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a live video, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said that the directive issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will also cover government-owned and controlled corporations.

"The local government units in the provincial, city, municipal, and barangay levels as well as those in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, are hereby directed to identify government facilities that may be temporarily converted into isolation or quarantine facilities," Nograles said.

He added that these are subject to guidelines that will be issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The IATF has also directed the Department of Tourism and other agencies to coordinate with their constituents in the identification of the possible facilities.

According to Nograles, the identified facilities will then be reported to the health-in-command of the IATF and the Task Group on Resource Management and Logistics.

The IATF has also tasked agencies to identify a facility where COVID-19 cases with mild symptoms can be managed.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was directed to inspect the facilities and commence operations as approved by concerned authorities.

The agency was also directed to accredit assigned construction workers who will be exempted from the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 803 on Friday with 54 recorded fatalities and 31 recoveries. -NB, GMA News