Manila City residents returning home from the province are required to undergo swabbing or Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction(RT-PCR) tests before they are allowed to enter their barangays.
The Manila Barangay Bureau in a memorandum to barangay officials dated December 29 said that all Manileños returning home starting January 2, 2021 must go directly to swabbing facilities in their respective districts for the test.
They must also stay at the barangay quarantine facility until their test results are released within the day or two.
However, Dr. Arnold Pangan, the acting city health officer said residents coming from Metro Manila cities are not required but encouraged to undergo a swab test.
"If returnee will come from within Metro Manila: Returnees may volunteer to get tested, Manila Health Department (MHD) will accommodate them. If returnee will come from outside Metro Manila: Returnees are required to undergo swab testing," Pangan said.
City public information officer head Julius Leonen said the tests will be shouldered by the city government.
"Case to case basis naman po, if isang araw lang or overnight, and resident naman po talaga siya ng Manila City, then no need na, unless magpa-voluntary swab test siya. Dr. Pangan said they will accommodate them (It will be a case to case basis. If the resident will only stay for one day or overnight outside Manila, then there is no need for her or him to get tested, unless he or she volunteers)," Leonen noted.
The move, according to the MHD, is to prevent the further spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the city.
The local government said the swabbing or quarantine facilities and contact details are as follows:
· District 1 – Paez Quarantine Facility – 09618977816 or 09286731715
· District 2 – Patricia Sports Complex Quarantine Facility – 09179609112
· District 3 – Arellano Quarantine Facility – 09184044627
· District 4 – Dapitan Sports Complex Quarantine Facility – 09516729122
· District 5 – San Andres Sports Complex Quarantine Facility – 09178031925
· District 6 – Bacood Quarantine Facility – 09461430364 or 09086877105
The memo said those who will test positive will be brought to quarantine facilities but will not be tagged as a reported case where they live.
Meanwhile, those who will test negative will be given a medical certificate.
For other concerns, Manila residents may reach out to the city’s Emergency Operation Center through 89262380, 89262383, 89262385 or 89262386.