Zamboanga task force sends back 23 travelers with fake coronavirus test results听
THE听ZAMBOANGA听City task force managing the coronavirus response caught 23 people last week, including 10 over the weekend, with fake coronavirus test results upon arrival at the airport.听听听
In a statement Monday, the local government reiterated its warning against the use of听fake reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results, one of the requirements for all travelers entering the city, whether staying or transiting.听听
Those caught with a fake test result were charged with an administrative fine of up to P5,000, sent back to their place of origin, and could face further charges. Quarantine hotel fees are also at their own expense if the next available return flight to their port of origin entails staying in the city.听听听
鈥淓xecutive Order 674-2021 provides that听travelers听caught without RT-PCR or with听falsified听or听imitation听RT-PCR results shall be charged with an administrative fine in the maximum amount of P5K. In addition, they shall immediately be听deported听to their place of origin, at their own expense. This, however, is not a waiver of any charge which may be filed against the individual for violation of the Revised Penal Code or other special law,鈥澨齮he city government said.听听听
The Zamboanga City airport is a main gateway to the southwestern part of Mindanao.听听听听
After battling a surge in cases over the last couple of months, Zamboanga City is now under a relaxed quarantine status, but the task force against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) maintains strict controls at its air, sea, and land borders.听听听
DELTA CASE听
One case of the more transmissible Delta variant was confirmed last week in the city, but the patient was actually first recorded as a COVID-19 case on July 4.听听
City Health Officer Dulce听D.听Miravite, in a statement from the local听government听last听week, explained that听the听Delta听index case, along with 14 other crew members of an inter-island vessel,听arrived in the city on July 2 and were immediately swabbed as they exhibited signs and symptoms of COVID-19.听听
Their听RT-PCR test results came out July 4, of which 12 turned out positive.听Their specimen samples were听sent听to Manila听for genomic testing听due to the听鈥渃lustering of cases.鈥澨齌he genome results were released Aug. 5 with one Delta case identified.听听
Ms.听Miravite听said the patient has recovered and completed the required quarantine period.听鈥斕齅SJ听
