OFWs returning via Metro Manila to be sent home within 5 days

Returning Overseas Filipino workers whose homes are outside Metro Manila should not stay beyond five days in the capital region, according to the head of the COVID-19 national task force.

“It could be less, but the maximum is five days,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told President Rodrigo Duterte in a meeting that was aired over state-run People’s Television Network on Friday.

He said they have a ‘system’ in place for an orderly evacuation of 42,000 overseas workers this month to avoid a repeat of prolonged periods of quarantine due to delays in COVID-19 testing.

At least 24,000 OFWs suffered this ordeal, with some forced to stay for over a month in quarantine facilities in the metropolis.

Lorenzana added they plan to limit the number of OFW arrivals at 1,200 per day, which may go up to 2,000 if circumstances allow it.

On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard said that all returning OFWs will undergo mandatory quarantine in any quarantine site or hotel accredited by the Bureau of Quarantine until they receive their test results proving that they are not infected with COVID-19.

Lorenzana assured the timely release of test results as he asserted there are ‘enough’ health facilities in Metro Manila that are accredited to conduct coronavirus testing.