Hontiveros bats for mandatory testing of workers under modified ECQ, GCQ

All returning workers in areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ) must undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing to ensure occupational safety, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Wednesday.

"While we want working class Filipinos to continue earning a living and critical industries to remain operational, we must implement measures to prevent a possible second spread of COVID-19 in workplaces," Hontiveros said in a statement.

"If we can require COVID-19 testing for POGO workers, all the more that we should require the same for Filipino workers who are facing the same risks," she added.

Those who are asymptomatic must also be tested, according to the senator.

She added that aside from mandatory testing, wearing protective gears and implementing social distancing and other workplace safety guidelines must also be observed.

The Department of Health (DOH), on the other hand, said that the Philippines does not have the capacity to conduct mass testing on employees.

“Sa ngayon po, hindi po natin ipagkakaila, hindi po natin kaya ang  mass testing for all employees kapag gumamit tayo ng RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) na mga laboratoryo natin,” Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said.

She added that experts recommend prioritizing symptomatic screening.

"Kung sino ang may sintomas, ihiwalay na at i-test. Sa ganitong paraan, mase-segregate natin sila at hindi sila makakapanghawa," she said.

In areas under modified ECQ like Metro Manila, operations of selected manufacturing and processing plants of up to maximum of 50% workforce will be allowed starting May 16.

Selected establishments in GCQ areas, on the other hand, may reopen with 50% to 100% capacity, depending on the guidelines released by the inter-agency task force handling COVID-19.

As of May 12, the Philippines recorded a total of 11,350 cases of COVID-19 with 2,106 recoveries and 751 deaths.—AOL, GMA News