Faster Quarantine Protocols For OFW Repatriation Says Palace
OFW REPATRIATION – In the following weeks, the Philippines is gearing up for an influx of OFW repatriates.
Last month, the government had been criticized for its response to OFWs that arrived in Manila. Some complained that they have been in isolation for months while waiting for swab tests to come back.
However, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque promised that these OFWs won’t need to stay in quarantine facilities for more than 5 days. According to an article from ABS-CBN, Roque stated:
We have implemented a free market in PCR testing. No more playing favorites. Whoever can do it efficiently and the cheapest price were given the OFWs and their principals the liberty to choose,
Now, Roque said that when the government could identify a laboratory ready for the PCR tests, OFW repatriates can go straight to hotels. Afterward, lab technicians can either go to the hotel to get the tests or the OFWs could go to the lab.
However, security measures would be taken, says Roque. As per the article, he added:
They will sign an undertaking for overseas Filipinos and if they don’t want to be swabbed in the airport then they can choose the laboratory, check-in the hotel and make arrangements so that they can go to the laboratory
Roque emphasized that the Philippines is expecting around 300,000 Filipinos to fly back home withing the next 3 months. However, due to pasts experiences, many have complained of long delays.
Currently, the Philippines has 54 licensed coronavirus testing laboratories. But, Roque said they are pushing for more labs as they know that the current number for the country is not enough,
Moreover, he noted how mass testing is only a part of the initiative. He said that it was not about the lab capacity but by the testing done.
We need to improve the capacity but also have to make sure that they all have supplies so that they can maximize their capacity,
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