Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 26) — Navotas City will be conducting free RT-PCR tests for public utility vehicle drivers, public market and grocery store employees, as well as fisherfolk from July 27 to July 31.
In an executive order signed by Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco Sunday, the local government cited the public transport system and the market as among the high-risk environments for COVID-19 infection.
It said PUV drivers are more likely to contract the viral disease due to the signifcant number of people they interact with in a confined space and with limited ventilation.
Also in the priority list for COVID-19 testing are market vendors, fish brokers, and their employees, as well as grocery store employees, who are likewise at high risk of being infected due to the common surfaces and goods they touch while at work.
Meanwhile, the city government included fisherfolk, saying, “by the very nature of the operations of fisherfolks, social distancing on board fishing vessels would not be possible.”
