FOUR construction workers were barred from boarding a boat at a port off the southern town of Samboan, Cebu after they were found to be positive for the Covid-19 virus.
Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said the four construction workers were turned over to the Cebu City EOC by the EOC in Samboan town after they found out that their documents stated they were positive for coronavirus.
The four individuals, all workers of a firm in Cebu City, were about to board a boat going to Negros Island when Coast Guard personnel assigned at the entrance area noticed that the documents they presented indicated they were positive for the virus.
Garganera said all four individuals decided to go home to Negros Island after allegedly hearing that Negros will be closing its borders.
He said the four individuals, complying with the travel requirements going to Negros, volunteered to have themselves tested and paid for swab tests at a private laboratory in Cebu City.
Without checking their results, they proceeded to ride a bus going to Samboan town.
Garganera said as they were about to board the boat, Coast Guard personnel stopped them as their documents indicated positive results.
The four individuals are now in one of the barangay isolation centers in Cebu City, said Garganera.
Garganera is set to meet with private laboratory owners to review and establish guidelines in case their clients test positive for coronavirus.
Garganera encouraged laboratory personnel to call their clients in case they test positive and advise them to stay at home and that EOC personnel will be calling or extracting them from their houses.
"This is one of the responsibilities of our laboratories. They should also secure the safety," said Garganera. (JJL)