DTI Says Workers Without Coronavirus Symptoms Don’t Need to be Tested

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said there is “no need” to test workers who do not show symptoms of coronavirus infection. Instead, employers need to monitor the health status of their workers daily, and report potential infections.

Ramon Lopez, DTI secretary, said “There is no need to test… ‘pag asymptomatic–not even doing a rapid test nor a PCR test. But for symptomatic already at may disclosure that there is some exposure already, you will be required to have PCR test.”

The PCR test or nasal swab test is the gold standard for infection testing, as it yields the most accurate results.

The DTI also requires companies to train workers on health protocol and establish committees that would ensure compliance of these protocols.

Lopez added “What we’re trying to do is we are issuing a new set of protocols for business establishments to make it stricter and hopefully avoid iyong further spread after we reopen again the economy,”