LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – – The Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force (PIATF) for COVID-19 is requesting the National IATF to consider requiring completion of the 14-day quarantine period for returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) at the quarantine facilities in Manila before sending them off to their respective provinces.
The Provincial Incident Management Team headed by Dr. Maria Imelda Ulep has observed that some ROFs who were issued quarantine clearance without completing the 14-day quarantine period in Manila. When re-swabbed them at the provincial facility, some tested positive for the corona virus. But since they had clearances, they were allowed to go home while awaiting for the results.
This situation could increase the chances of transmission of COVID-19.
Pending the response of the national IATF, Governor Melchor Diclas said those who have not completed the 14-day period with initial negative results will still be re-swabbed and will be required to stay in an isolation facility.
Department of Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Rufina Fegcan called on the local chief executives to establish their own isolation facilities in preparation for the influx of cases.
With limited isolation units of the Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Quarantine Facilities of the province, the municipalities are urged to functionalize quarantine facilities in their respective areas. **JDP/SCA-PIA CAR, Benguet
