Navotas City has waived the requirement for quarantine for informal sector workers who will participate in the community testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019.
Per Executive Order TMT-040, series of 2020, market vendors; grocery staff; tricycle, jeep and bus drivers and conductors; fisherfolk; and fish brokers and their employees are given priority to undergo the swab test but are allowed to return to work afterwards.
“Market vendors, grocery staff, drivers as well as fish brokers and their employees interact closely with their customers. Fisherfolk, on the other hand, work alongside each other and often fail to meet the 1-2 meter requirement for physical distancing,” Mayor Toby Tiangco noted.
“They are being prioritized because by the very nature of their jobs, they have a higher chance of getting infected. They are at the frontliners serving us during these trying times, hence, the privilege of being prioritized is granted to them,” he explained.
However, Tiangco said many of them refuse to get tested, even if the test was free of charge.
“Many fear that because of quarantine, they would have to stop working for a few days and lose the opportunity to earn for their family. To address this, we decided to forego such requirement but with certain conditions,” the mayor said.
According to the EO, exemption to the quarantine applies as long as they are not close contacts of a COVID-positive patient or live in a hot zone or area with high cases of the disease.
“Our community testing has been extended until July 31. We need 2,000 participants daily. We highly encourage all Navoteños to take advantage of this program. Feel free to visit your barangay if you wish to be tested,” Tiangco said.
“Walk-in residents are also welcome. Just bring a valid ID. You may choose to forego quarantine after the test, provided you are not a close contact or live in a hot zone,” he added.
