Swab testing of COVID-19 close contacts now mandatory in Navotas City

The local government of Navotas City is now requiring all its residents who come in contact with confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients to undergo swab testing, following reports that some refuse to get tested and are even going outside their houses.

Through Executive Order No. 42 signed by Mayor Toby Tiangco, swab testing is strictly mandatory for all close contacts of COVID-19 patients.

"If confirmed to have acquired the virus, patients are also required to be transferred to community isolation facilities," the local government said.

In crafting the order, Tiangco said "it is imperative that we timely trace, test, and quarantine close contacts of COVID-19 positive individuals to prevent the transmission of the virus during its incubation period."

"However, there were reports of close contacts who gave false information, deliberately misleading the contact tracing team, and slowing down the efforts of the city government. We need to take a firm stand and enforce a stricter system in handling these cases,” he said, adding that some continue to leave their homes.

Under the order, members of a household or same address are considered close contacts. Therefore, they are required to undergo swab tests and home quarantine until they are confirmed to be negative for the virus.

"Once a member or members of a household or same address test positive, they are required to move immediately to the designated community isolation facility," the local government said.

It added that those who would refuse to cooperate and deliberately provide false information "will be served with a demand letter from the City Legal Office," and if they continue "to defy orders despite the receipt of a demand letter, he/she will be charged for violating Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11332."

For those who are identified as close contacts of patients but are not Navotas residents, they will be endorsed to the health office of their local government unit.

“We need to accelerate our contact tracing efforts to contain the further spread of the disease. Immediate action and direct implementation of these measures must be done for us to move forward and live safely in the new normal,” Tiangco said.

As of Aug. 18, Navotas has already reported 3,903 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 2,760 recoveries and 113 deaths.