Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 15) - Antipolo City expects to start its mass testing for the coronavirus disease this weekend, the spokesperson of the city mayor said on Wednesday.

“Sa ngayon, we are in the preparation stage. Hopefully this weekend, makapagsimula na kami ng mass testing,” said Jun Ynares, spokesperson of Mayor Andrea Ynares, in an interview with CNN Philippines’ News Night.

[Translation: We are currently in the preparation stage. Hopefully, we can start the mass testing this weekend.]

Ynares said that the health workers who will conduct the testing are now undergoing training.

“Hindi pa kami nagsisimula ng mass testing, we are still training our [health workers]. Because you have to understand na kapag nag-mass testing ka, maraming kasunod ‘yan na trabaho like dadami ang gagawa ng swabbing at kukuha ng specimen collection,” he said.

[Translation: We are not yet starting the mass testing, we are still training our health workers. Because you have to understand that there are other things to do after testing, like the need to have more health workers to do the swabbing and specimen collection.]

He added that the local government is also forming a contact tracing team.

Ynares also said that container vans and testing booths will be used in conducting the mass testing.

The province of Rizal is under a total lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. Provincial governor Rebecca Ynares earlier tested positive for the virus.