The so-called close contacts of Covid-19 positives who refuse to undergo reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test will be penalized as the city government of Davao will soon enforce law for mandatory swabbing and isolation of Covid-19 positives and their close contacts.
This is relation to a law “An Ordinance Providing For Mandatory Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing of All F1, F2, and F3 Contacts of an RT-PCR Confirmed Positive Case of Covid-19 in Davao City,” which was approved by the City Council on August 17, 2021.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said this will take effect after the required publication.
“Ipa-igting jud nato ang mandatory swabbing and mandatory isolation for those who are Covid-19 positive and those close contacts of Covid-19 positive. Pasado na po ang ordinance providing mandatory RT-PCR for all F1, F2, and F3 Contacts of a Confirmed Positive Case of Covid-19 has already been passed, and those who will not submit to swab test will be penalized,” she said.
Schlosser added that those who received notification from DQR are covered by the said ordinance and these individuals will be monitored.
In June this year, the City Council drafted the ordinance penalize the close contacts who refuse to undergo RT-PCR test and this also include penalties for first generation contacts or F1, second generation or F2, and third generation or F3 contacts who don’t submit themselves for swabbing.
Schlosser also said that a separate ordinance penalizing business establishments not implementing the DQR scanning intended has been approved as well as a separate measure. She urged the public to strictly follow the mandatory swab testing and the establishments to follow the mandatory DQR scanning as early as now to avoid facing penalties.
The SMS from DQR includes the place, date, and time where the individuals have encountered an index case.
“I am actually announcing this and informing this because we are tasked to enforce this ordinance. I hope mu-follow ang tanan because we do not want to penalize these people, and the establishment but then we are tasked to enforce this ordinance. So kung kinsa ang mo-violate, we are very sorry kay kani na ordinance is our mandate gyud ni siya ug i-enforce sa atong security cluster,” Schlosser said.
The city has established swab centers in Barangay Ilang-Tibungco, Mintal Gym, Shanghai Gym in Matina Aplaya, Sta. Ana Swabtest Center, Magsaysay Park, and Davao Crocodile Park.
