Philtranco bus passengers quarantined in Davao de Oro

Thirty-two passengers and crew, including a pregnant woman and a one-year-old child, aboard a Philtranco bus from Manila were quarantined in Davao de Oro after attempting to enter the region.

The bus departed Manila on March 16, prior to the Luzon-wide lockdown, with passengers bound for Davao City.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte initially decided to send the bus back but reconsidered and placed the passengers under quarantine.

The bus was intercepted at the Monkayo checkpoint on March 21, and the passengers were placed in a farm-training facility for a 14-day quarantine.

Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy made an exception to the regional entry restrictions, citing humanitarian reasons.

The provincial and municipal governments are providing essential needs, meals, and hygiene kits to the quarantined individuals.

The driver and one passenger with cough symptoms are considered persons under investigation (PUIs) and are housed separately, while the rest are persons under monitoring (PUMs).

Health protocols, including social distancing, are being implemented for those in the facility.