THE Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has issued new protocols for the returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROF) effective May 8.
Bacolod City Councilor Israel Salanga, chairman of the Action Team on Returning OFWs (Atro), said Monday, May 10, that they already received the copy of the new protocols to be implemented for the returning OFW/ROFs nationwide.
He said that starting May 8, all arriving travelers shall undergo 14-day quarantine upon arrival. The first 10 days of which shall be observed in a quarantine facility, with the remainder to be completed under home quarantine in their respective local government units of destination.
“It means, all of our returning OFW/ROFs should stay in a quarantine facility for 10 days in Cebu or Manila, and the four days remaining will be a home quarantine,” he added.
Salanga said the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing shall be conducted on the seventh day, with Day 1 being the day of arrival.
“Notwithstanding a negative result, the arriving traveler shall complete the facility-based quarantine period of 10 days,” he said.
He added the Bureau of Quarantine shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while in the facility quarantine for 10 days.
Salanga said they will also hold a meeting with the Emergency Operations Center to discuss the new protocols once the returning OFW/ROF will arrive here in Bacolod City.