DUMAGUETE CITY – Officials of the Negros Oriental Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Monday appealed to government agencies that are sending authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) to strictly observe health protocols.
Provincial IATF executive director Adrian Sedillo and assistant provincial health officer Dr. Liland Estacion, chair of the task force’s committee on health, sounded the call as some APORs who came to the province have allegedly not followed health protocols amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
APORs are those who come from either a government or private entity that are exempted from community quarantine restrictions and whose cross-border movements are allowed in most instances, Sedillo said.
These include but are not limited to government workers such as those in the uniformed services and agencies, food industry (manufacturing, sale, and delivery), hospitals, health, and medical staff, logistics providers (cargo handling, warehouse, etc.), gasoline stations, and many others that provide essential goods.
Sedillo said the IATF in a meeting on Monday agreed to send a copy of its Resolution No. 32, which embodies guidelines for the APORs, to government agencies and offices here for strict compliance with local/provincial requirements.
An APOR who arrived late last week was reported to have allegedly made courtesy calls on some government officials as well as visited his agency’s local office before he was quarantined.
In a press briefing, Estacion reassured, however, that the said person is now under quarantine and contact tracing was made to locate the people that the APOR has come in contact with.
The APOR has tested positive for anti-bodies in the rapid diagnostic test (RDT).
But Estacion said it is still early to say whether the person is positive for Covid-19 until after the result of a throat swab test is released.
“The assessment on him is ongoing today,” she said, adding that this person has a medical certificate and an RDT test that showed a negative result two weeks ago.
Sedillo said APORs “are required to notify the provincial IATF through its local office here for proper documentation.”
“Sila mismo, kay APOR man sila, unrestricted movement man sila, dapat mu-exercise pod sila ug restraint (Since they are APORs and are unrestricted in their movements, they should also exercise restraint,” Sedillo said.
“We have specified requirements and other concerns to recognize the privileges accorded to the APOR, including returning to their homes if they are from here,” he said.
However, this carries a risk for an APOR especially if he comes in close contact with family members who shall also be subject for quarantine if deemed necessary, he added. (PNA)
