Navotas fishers, drivers, vendors to get free COVID-19 swab test

The city government of Navotas will be conducting free COVID-19 swab tests for market vendors, public utility vehicle drivers and fisherfolk from July 27 to 31.

According to Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, Mayor Toby Tiangco signed an executive order on Sunday, citing that markets and the public transport system are among the high-risk environments for COVID-19 infection.

“By the very nature of their job, they have a higher chance of getting infected. Ang because they have a higher chance in getting infected, pina-prioritize natin sila sa testing. Social distancing is not possible,” Tiangco said.

“Paano mo siya tatanungin, lahat ng nakaharap niya the past ilang days, ‘di ba? Ang hirap sagutin ng mga driver ‘yon, ng mga pedicab. Hirap sagutin ng nagtitinda sa palengke ‘yon, sa grocery. Ang hirap ng contact tracing doon kung kanina siya nahawa at ang hirap hanapin din kung sino ang na-expose sa kaniya,” he added.

Tiangco also said the city-wide lockdown, which is set to end on Wednesday, will not be extended anymore.

He added that the city government will just focus on testing.

So far, Navotas has recorded a total of 1,452 cases of COVID-19. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News