PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has rejected calls to shorten the 14-day mandatory quarantine period for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
In a taped message, Duterte declined the request of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, who finds no reason to compel returning OFWs to stay that long in quarantine facilities since they have been swabbed and tested before flying back to the country.
Citing figures, Bello said that only 2.7 percent of returning OFWs tested positive for the novel coronavirus last year, before they were required to stay for 14 days at a quarantine facility and about 1.5 percent of repatriated OFWs have tested positive for the virus this year so far.
“Kaya nga po kami nakikiusap sana, Mr. President, na kung maaari, we go back to the original protocol, na pagdating ng ating OFWs, swab agad sila, then they are quarantined for 5 days, while waiting for the result of the PCR test,” Bello said.
“Aside from the economic consideration, these OFWs have long missed their homes. Ngayon inuwi natin sila, and they have to stay for almost 14 days in quarantine.”
In throwing out Bello’s appeal, Duterte decided to heed the recommendation of health experts.
“There is no compromise here, hindi ako magko-compromise, just an off the cuff statement before I, we make the final decision. I’m not ready for a compromise, lalo na ngayon.”
The President didn’t say how long he intends to keep the measure in place.
Government infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvaña said during the meeting that the problem with testing OFWs upon arrival is the “timing.” For example, if they catch COVID-19 in transit, they might test negative for coronavirus.
Citing government data, Salvaña said that it usually takes 3 to 5 days before a person can test positive, but 40 percent of people could test positive on the seventh day of infection.
“We know that COVID, especially the variants of concern, have come into the country through returning travelers. That is why it is really essential that we have some sort of control,” said Salvaña, who is part of the technical working group that advises the Department of Health.
The Philippines is close to breaching the one million mark for coronavirus infections.