DILG records cases of bribery, escape of travelers from hotel quarantine facilities
By Chito Chavez
Some individuals who are supposed to be on a quarantine after arriving from abroad would bribe hotel personnel or even escape through the fire exits to breach the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) health protocols, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año disclosed on Monday, Jan 3.
Año said the usual reason is that they want to be immediately with their family.
In an interview over GMA News, Año noted that the Bureau of Quarantine had filed cases against hotel managements for violating quarantine protocols.
Año made the statement after Gwyneth Chua, who arrived from the United States, left the Makati hotel where she was under the mandatory health quarantine and had dinner in a restaurant nearby.
Chua’s fellow party-goers, some patrons and staff of the restaurant later tested positive for the disease.
Año said all persons who committed violations in the incident will be held accountable.
The Department of Tourism, on the other hand, has forwarded another case to the DILG regarding another quarantine violation a hotel.