PH consul to Pinoys in Macau: Do not politicize COVID tests

The Philippine Consulate General in Macau on Saturday dismissed claims that the government order requiring Filipinos living and working in the casino haven to take daily COVID-19 tests was a racist and discriminatory policy, insisting that it was purely a health measure that should not be politicized.

The health authorities of the Chinese special administrative region, which is dealing with the worst outbreak of coronavirus infections since 2020, on Thursday mandated all Filipinos to have themselves tested from July 22 to July 24.

Some members of the Filipino community in Macau, estimated to number around 30,000, were indignant over what they described as a racially offensive order.

But the consulate, headed by Consul General Porfirio Mayo Jr., chastised the critics.

“The Philippine Consulate General, at the outset of this directive, has issued its position taking the directive as purely a health issue. And yet there are those who remain focused on politicizing this,” it said.

Source: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/205502/ph-consul-to-pinoys-in-macau-do-not-politicize-covid-tests