Mandaluyong completes rapid testing of jeepney drivers; one found positive for COVID-19
A jeepney driver in Mandaluyong City has been placed on quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the local government said Wednesday (July 1).
The Mandaluyong City government said the City Health Department has completed the conduct of rapid tests on 1,147 jeepney drivers, one of whom was found positive for COVID-19 after undergoing a confirmatory reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.
“Siya po ay kasalukuyang naka-isolate na at sasailalim sa 14-day quarantine (He is currently in isolation and undergoing a 14-day quarantine),” the local government wrote on its official Facebook page.
“Hindi siya papayagang bumiyahe sa mga modern jeepneys para hindi makahawa sa mga mananakay (He would not be allowed to travel in modern jeepneys to avoid infecting riders),” it added.
City Public Information Officer Jimmy Isidro told the Manila Bulletin that the driver is asymptomatic.
The local government earlier conducted rapid testing on jeepney drivers as part of the preparations undertaken by the city in case jeepneys will be allowed to resume operation.
Mayor Carmelita Abalos said drivers that would test “reactive” in the rapid testing will immediately undergo a confirmatory swab test. They will be also placed under a 14-day quarantine.
“'No test, no trips' pa rin ang policy natin sa kanila dahil ito ay para sa kaligtasan nila at ng mga pasahero ('No test, no trips' is our policy for them as it is for their safety as well as their passengers),” Abalos said.
The city government previously subjected all tricycle drivers in the city to a coronavirus test using rapid test kits as part of the requirements for the resumption of their operations.
Also on Wednesday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced that 6,000 “roadworthy” traditional public utility jeepneys plying in Metro Manila will be allowed to resume operations in 49 routes starting Friday (July 3).