Rapid tests to be required for Mandaluyong tricycle drivers

All tricycle drivers in Mandaluyong City must first undergo rapid antibody testing as part of the condition for the resumption of their operations, Mayor Menchie Abalos said.

“Hindi sila puwedeng pumasada hangga’t wala ‘yong test,” Abalos said in Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday.

The city government has approved the limited operations of tricycles as the metro transitioned into a modified enhanced community quarantine.

Abalos said even tricycle drivers who have negative test results will still be required to follow safety measures before they go back on the streets.

The Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) has warned against the use of rapid testing as a way to check a person for the COVID-19 virus, given the possibility of false positives. The Department of Health has advised combining rapid testing with PCR tests for more accurate results.

Mandaluyong tricycle regulation office chief Samson Digma said that drivers will have to put a plastic cover between them and their passengers, as well as add a foot bath, alcohol, and a logbook inside the tricycle.

“Kukuhanin namin ‘yong pangalan ng pasahero, address ng pasahero, para at least kung mayroon man silang sintomas ng [COVID-19], madali na lang matunton kung tiga saan sila,” Digma said.

He added that drivers are also required to wear gloves, a face mask, and a face shield.

There will also be no back riding unless the rider is accompanied by a senior citizen or a person with disability.

“Exact change na lang din para wala nang suklian. May box na lang doon para doon nila ihuhulog bayad nila,” Abalos said.

There will also be a rotation schedule for the tricycle drivers, she added.

Digma also reminded Mandaluyong residents to only ride tricycles with a blue ID.

“‘Yong mga may ID po siguradong nakapasa sa rapid test natin. ‘Pag wala hong ID, ‘wag ho kayong sumakay baka delikado,” he said.

So far, Abalos said there are about 2,000 tricycle drivers left to test. She said some were nervous to get tested.

“Ba’t sila matatakot? ‘Di ba proteksiyon din nila ‘yon? Unang-una hindi dapat sila matakot. Kaunting injection lang naman ‘yan. Hindi sila makakapasada kung hindi sila dadaan sa rapid test. Proteksiyon na rin ‘yon sa mananakay, ‘yong pasahero,” she said.

Meanwhile, 277 tricycle drivers who tested positive and their close contacts are already undergoing quarantine. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News