A THERMAL scanner was installed at the Task Force Davao in Barangay Alejandra Navarro (Lasang), with Mayor Sara Duterte inspecting the facility at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Col. Consolito Yecla, the Task Force Davao commander, said the thermal scanner is housed inside a repurposed container van that was connected to the x-ray baggage machine and walkthrough metal detector.
Yecla said the setup aims to streamline the inspection of commuters and travelers by detecting their skin surface temperatures.
Individuals with higher temperatures, like those associated with COVID-19, can be identified easily at a safe distance while also minimizing body contact.
All TFD checkpoints at Lasang, Sirawan, and Lacson will be equipped with thermal scanners. The repurposed container van, air-conditioning unit, and computer were provided by the city government while the thermal scanner was donated by Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
Initially, the thermal scanner will be temporarily operated by the TF Davao personnel as the city trained dedicated operators who will eventually take over.
“While the newly installed equipment will help detect persons with symptoms of COVID-19, travelers should be responsible enough by staying home when they have symptoms of infection in order to protect others,” he said.
