DOT: Returning Filipino who also skipped quarantine claimed ‘exemption’

The second returning Filipino woman who was reported to have skipped mandatory hotel isolation claimed that she had "quarantine exemption," the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Monday.

The tourism department said it already concluded the investigation into the new case of a overseas Filipino who came from the United States and skipped the five-day quarantine and tested positive for COVID-19 days later.  

"The investigation found that the returning overseas Filipino was referred to a hotel in Makati for the mandatory quarantine period for arriving international passengers," DOT said in a statement.

"The hotel management, however, claimed that when its personnel went to the airport to pick up the individual, according to the procedure, the individual evaded going with hotel staff  by claiming a quarantine exemption that turned out to be non-existent," it added.

Further, the DOT said it already endorsed the case to the Philippine National Police, which would check on the woman's liability.

"The Department has endorsed the case to the Philippine National Police as member of the One-Stop-Shop for the Management of Returning Overseas Filipino (OSS-MROF) for appropriate action," it said.

The DOT, likewise, reminded all establishments and travelers to be responsible and follow health protocols.

Prior to this case, the DOT discovered a woman not only partied in Makati after escaping quarantine but also went to several restaurants. Her fellow party-goers also tested positive for the disease.

Prior to this incident, another woman was found to have partied in Makati after escaping quarantine, going to at least two restaurants.

Her fellow party-goers also tested positive for the disease. 

The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) also prepared its complaint against the traveler.

Earlier, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also said they received a report that another traveler from the United States also did not undergo quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines.

"I’ve given it already to the [Bureau of Quarantine] and the [Department of the Interior and Local Government] and I will leave it up to them,” Puyat said in a television interview.—LDF/NB, GMA News