TACLOBAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) -- The local government unit of Tanauan, Leyte has set some basic health protocols for returning residents as the municipality expects more arrivals in the coming days.
This, after the municipality recorded its first COVID-19 case on Thursday as reported by the Department of Health 8.
During the Panindugan Virtual Kapihan on Friday hosted by PIA-8 Regional Director Erlinda Olivia Tiu, Tanauan Mayor Pelagio Tecson said that those who wants to come home are very much welcome but they have to follow certain guidelines such as the 14-day quarantine period and RT-PCR testing.
"Itong mga kababayan natin that are returning home, we made a policy that we will have to accept them back because kailangan talaga nila makabalik, many of them are displaced in Metro Manila, stranded sila doon at mga kababayan natin ito. However, they have to be coordinated well, yung return nila sa atin at importante sumunod doon sa mga protocol, "Tecson said.
Tecson likewise assured the people of Tanauan and the neighboring towns that there is nothing to worry about since the first confirmed case proceeded directly to the municipal quarantine center for isolation.
The first COVID-19 case in Tanauan is a 26-year-old male and was among the six returnees in Tanauan who arrived in the evening of May 21, 2020 at the Government Center Circle, Candahug Palo Leyte.
As early as March this year, LGU Tanauan has already established a quarantine facility with 47 rooms.
Each room per patient is equipped with medical facilities and health personnel that will attend to the patient's needs. It also has a comfort room.
Tecson said that Tanauan LGU is also planning to expand its quarantine facility adding that evacuation center may be converted into a permanent quarantine facility that can accommodate more patients.
Meanwhile, Mayor Tecson said that those who intend to go home should avoid shortcuts.
“A new ordinance was passed by the Sangguniang Bayan, and I already signed it, that starting next week a part of the provision of that ordinance is that anyone who will return home and will not follow the protocol will be penalized,” he said.
The Mayor added that they are already putting some teeth into the policy saying, “This is our only defense against COVID-19 in our place.” (ldl/cba/PIA-8)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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