CANDABA -- All employees of major establishments, as well as those who will participate in the National Government's "Balik Probinsya" program must undergo mandatory testing for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) before they are allowed entry in this town, Mayor Rene Maglanque said.

Maglangue met over the weekend with management of supermarkets, banks and other financing institutions and other major establishments to inform them of the requirement before they can operate during this general community quarantine.

"All employees will undergo rapid anti-body test, no exceptions. The company will shoulder the expenses for the test kits but all manpower and other necessary assistance will be provided by the local government," Maglanque said.

Those who will defy order will immediately be closed until they comply or when virus pandemic is suppressed, he added.

Beneficiaries of "Balik Probinsya" program, meanwhile, must coordinate with their respective barangay or Municipal Health Office for mandatory rapid testing.

"Aside from presenting health clearance from rural health units of their origin place, we will also require them to under rapid testing for assurance," Municipal Health Officer Preny Manimbo said.

Maglanque said those who will test positive in the rapid anti-body test will be required to submit themselves to swab testing to the Department of Health.

They will also be quarantined in an isolation facility designated and maintained by the local government pending the release of test results, he added.

He said those who will test positive will be transferred to Covid-19 designated hospitals, while negative patients may be allowed to go home.

"The local government is strictly implementing the expanded targeted testing for most-exposed individuals in town. We have already finished the frontliners from the municipal hall so we are moving forward to employees who served during the lockdown period, and those who are coming back from different areas who may be carrying the virus," Maglanque said.