Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday said citizens could not be compelled to undergo polymerase chain reaction or PCR swab tests, and even if those were given free unless they showed symptoms of coronavirus infection.
“As a general rule, a person cannot be compelled to take a swab test, even if it’s for free, if said person has not been exposed to a COVID-positive person and does not exhibit any symptoms of the disease,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.
“However, a person who has been so exposed and exhibits clear manifestations of the disease may be compelled, in the interest of public health, to undergo swab testing be mandatorily quarantined, and be medically treated to prevent the further spread of the disease.”
Guevarra made his statement after Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco said some of his constituents were refusing to take free PCR swab tests.
Five more lift inbound restrictions
Five more countries have lifted inbound restrictions on Filipino travelers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.
The department said the countries that had lifted their inbound restrictions, subject to “medical protocols such as proof of purchase of health insurance, institutional or home quarantine and presentation of negative COVID-19 test results,” included Brazil, Kiribati, the United Kingdom, Benin and Chad.
The department said Chad also opened its outbound borders, but subject to flight availability and other special arrangements mandated by its government.
Canada, Armenia, Kuwait and the Slovak Republic still do not allow general entry, but they have imposed stricter medical protocols similar to those required by the five countries.
Review urged on case reporting system
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Sunday urged the Department of Health to review its case reporting system, saying the lack of information was blocking their contact-tracing efforts on many COVID-19 patients.
She made the call after a COVID-19-positive patient told social media about the lack of contact-tracing efforts from the city on her and her family.
The post went viral and the patient blamed the city government for lack of action.
Records showed that the patient never self-reported to the local government unit and relied solely on the Health department, “which in turn did not have data on the patient’s contact details,” the city government said.
