DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Duterte said on Monday that two vendors and a security personnel at the popular Roxas Night Market here tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) through a “baseline” test using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machine taken three days before the market re-opened last Saturday.
Duterte said during her live interview that the three persons have been isolated at a temporary treatment and monitoring facility immediately after the RT-PCR results came out.
She said the baseline test was conducted to screen all persons who are directly involved at running the night market, from vendors, masseurs, suppliers, and security personnel, as a measure to control the spread of the infection.
She said that strict implement of health protocols must be observed.
“But, of course, exposure is possible daily. Even though we have conducted a baseline swab, we did that just to make sure that exposures will not come from the reopening. Of course, people will go home and go to the grocery, so there is exposure everyday just like us who are reporting for work, we have possible exposure every day,” she said.
The mayor ordered the closure of the bustling night market last March 12 to curtail the spread of COVID-19, affecting a total of 498 vendors and masseurs.
Only 25 percent of the total vendors and masseurs were allowed to return to the market, taking turns every two weeks. The new entrants would be subjected to RT-PCR tests.
The local government reopened the night market to help the livelihood of the displaced vendors.
The night market, a popular destination for street food and “ukay-ukay” (used clothes), is open at 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. daily.
The local government has implemented stricter security measures, including the enforcement of one entrance and one exit at the night market.
According to the Roxas Night Market Guidelines & Protocols released by the city government, visitors will no longer be required to fill in the contact tracing forms but will be asked to show proof of identification; bags and other belongings will be checked; body temperatures will be checked; and a separate inspection cubicle has been setup for women visitors.
The visitors are discouraged from bringing backpacks, non-transparent water bottles, and jackets. But they are required to wear face masks and face shield, except when eating or drinking; observe a two-meter physical distancing; and use foot bath and hand washing and sanitation stations.