BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Local authorities here will soon start using swab booths at the Bredco port to get specimens from travelers who will be tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson announced this yesterday, saying all incoming passengers with provincial addresses will be swabbed by personnel from the Provincial Health Office.
“We have personnel from the Health Office who will do the swabbing in the seaport,” Lacson said.
The swabbing of passengers would not cover those from Bacolod City, since the jurisdiction would fall under the city government.
Earlier, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Negros Occidental chief, Lieutenant Commander Jansen Benjamin said all passengers, who are residents outside of Bacolod City, will be transported to the Provincial Healing Center in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental where they would undergo real time-polymerase reaction (RT-PCR) testing.
Benjamin said passengers will only be allowed to return home once their RT-PCR tests come back negative for the virus.
All passengers arriving at the Bredco port are also directed to proceed to the PCG’s Bredco substation, where they would fill-up health cards (travel history, their hometown, their seat number while aboard the vessel)./PN
