Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año clarified Friday that the local government units (LGUs) and companies must compel returning workers to undergo medical checkups, not coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests, during the quarantine period.
He reminded the LGUs that there is no law that requires the companies to require their workers to undergo COVID-19 tests.
“Di dapat ganun wala tayong ganun,” Año said in an interview over DZBB.
Año said that screening and diagnostic tests can be undertaken when a worker has COVID-19 like symptoms, adding that those exhibiting such symptoms should be barred from reporting to work.
The DILG chief issued the clarification reiterating the pronouncement of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that returning workers need not be tested for the coronavirus which causes COVID-19.
Earlier, DTI explained that only those with COVID-19 symptoms must undergo confirmatory testing for the respiratory disease.
Año noted that the workers may be required to answer a disclosure form detailing their travel history and interactions with COVID-19 patients.
Explaining further, Año maintained that any employee with close contact to COVID-19 patients must be placed under quarantine. (Chito A. Chavez)
