Bayanihan Act does not mandate mandatory mass COVID-19 testing

The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act does not mandate mandatory mass testing for COVID-19 in the Philippines.

Senator Koko Pimentel, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III all clarified that employers are not required to test employees before they return to work unless they show symptoms of infection.

The government will not cover the costs of mass testing due to limited resources, leaving it up to private firms to conduct tests if they choose to do so.