MANILA, Philippines — The Valenzuela City government on Friday shut down two laboratories offering swab tests despite not being accredited as a new coronavirus testing facility. Two branches of Bestcare Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Center in Barangay Karuhatan were served with immediate closure and suspension orders for misrepresentation and violations of consumer rights, the local government code on general welfare, mayor’s permit and undertaking. Bestcare also violated provisions of the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concerns Act for allegedly operating without a license from health authorities. Mayor Rex Gatchalian said the city government will also pursue criminal charges against Bestcare’s management “for violating the city’s health protocols.” —NIKKA G. VALENZUELA
2 Valenzuela labs offering swab tests closed
A health worker (R) puts a swab specimen into a tube after collecting a sample for COVID-19 coronavirus testing in Gombak on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on April 22, 2020. (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)