Guv mulls rapid testing for delivery crews in major ports

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

 

Drivers and accompanying delivery crew members arriving in Iloilo’s major trading ports will soon be subjected to rapid antibody testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. announced on Thursday.

Defensor on Wednesday went to the province’s ports in Dumangas, Estancia, and Balasan towns, which have regular delivery lines to Manila and Cebu.

The governor inspected the health protocols and equipment used by port authorities.

In a press conference on Thursday, he said that he would consider rapid testing on drivers and accompanying crews arriving in Dumangas and Estancia, due to the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cebu.

“Cebu has changed, but commerce cannot be hampered. We have delivery trucks arriving from Cebu. They roll off the RORO vessel and transport essential goods. Before, when our COVID-19 levels were similar, we had protocols to check their health, such as health declaration cards. But because Cebu has changed, we are now checking the current situation. We have to add to the protocols. We will now require rapid tests upon their entrance,” Defensor said.

He said he may forego the procedure in Balasan, which caters to fishing vessels from Navotas City in Metro Manila, because of their own protocols.

“There is also traffic in Balasan because our fish dealers and traders from northern Iloilo, they go out of the province through Balasan going to Navotas. We already learned that this is well-handled because they are quarantined for 14 days and the traders regularly change their drivers,” he said.

Defensor has previously nixed the conduct of rapid antibody tests, preferring to use the more accurate Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).

Results of RT-PCR tests are usually available after three days, and the governor told Daily Guardian that this is the main reason why they are now eyeing rapid antibody tests.

“I’ve just talked to Dr. Grace Trabado, our Provincial Health Officer, to look at using rapid testing again. I know I’ve already said that I wouldn’t be using them, but RT-PCR tests are slow and we cannot slow down these delivery personnel, and they would still have to return to where they came from,” he said.

Defensor is expected to come up with a final decision on the matter today, June 26, after his meeting with the province’s disaster cluster.