A COVID-19 swab test will not be required in entering Manila for those coming from other cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) and those who reside in the province but work in the capital city, a city government official clarified.
“For those within Metro Manila, swab testing is not mandatory. Although if they want to take a swab test, we will still accommodate them. So we encourage voluntary swab testing,” Manila Public Information Office chief Julius Leonen said in a GMA interview.
Employees who work in Manila but go home to a different province will also not be required to get swabbed.
“Those are the scenarios that do not require mandatory swab testing. Although we will still accommodate them. Because there are also people who ask us, ‘What if it’s just one day, can I still have a swab?’ It can still be,” Leonen said.
However, those who will enter Manila from other provinces will be required to undergo swab testing.
“Don’t worry because this is a free swab test that will be provided by the Manila City Government,” Leonen said.
The Manila Health Department said earlier residents who will reenter the city after the holidays will need to be tested to avoid possible COVID-19 transmission.
Those who will test positive will be taken to a quarantine facility, while those who test negative will be issued a medical certificate indicating the result.
Manila has 295 active COVID-19 cases as of Sunday.
Meanwhile Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso urged business owners to avail of the 10-percent discount being given by the city government for those who will renew their business permits until January 20, 2021.
Domagoso lauded business permit and licensing office chief Levi Facundo for establishing a Business One Stop Shop at the 4th Floor level of the SM Manila adjacent to the Manila City Hall.
Facundo said business owners may transact everyday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and then 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Apart from the mall, Facundo said the business owners may also pay online and do away with the hassles of having to go out, spend transportation money and time or find parking.
Via the GoManila app, Domagoso said those who want to renew their business permits may also avoid possible exposure to COVID-19 and transact within the comfort of their own homes.
In line with this, the mayor commended Electronic Data Processing (EDP) chief Fortune Palileo for polishing the online system of payment in Manila, for the convenience of taxpayers and those with other transactions as well.
Meanwhile, Domagoso thanked the residents of Manila for heeding his call to use their money for more important things like food instead of firecrackers, during New Year’s eve.
The mayor said that for the first time in the history of Manila, he was able to monitor that at least 90 percent of the populace did not light up firecrackers so that no firecracker-related accidents were reported.
He also commended the entire Manila Police District (MPD) headed by Gen. Leo Francisco for making their presence felt in strategic areas during the holiday season.