Health authorities here have started on Monday the conduct of weekly rapid antigen test for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) among city government employees before they can be allowed to enter the city hall premises for work.

Dr. Danda Juanday, the city administrator, said only 50 percent of over 2,500 workers will undergo antigen test since the city hall is implementing a skeleton workforce scheme.

“The antigen tests are scheduled every first working day of the week aims to help arrest the rising Covid-19 cases,” Juanday, an obstetrician by profession, said.

As of this posting, no one from the city government employees has so far tested positive from the antigen tests.

“Those tested positive from the rapid test must undergo the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction swab test,” Juanday said.

The city Inter-Agency Task Force Against Covid-19 has earlier required all employees to pass the antigen test and get a wristband that serves as a pass to be able to enter the city hall’s premises.

All clients of the city hall are also required to undergo the same test.

As of Monday morning, the city has logged 28 new Covid-19 infections, bringing its active case tally to 491. (PNA)