Hong Kong banned Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights for two weeks until September 11, after three of its passengers from Manila were confirmed to have COVID-19.
In a report, Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection said at least three passengers from Manila were confirmed to have COVID-19 upon “arrival testing” at the Chinese Special Administrative Region last August 27.
The COVID-19 positive passengers were onboard PAL flight PR300.
At the same time, Hong Kong authorities also banned Turkish Airlines flights from Istanbul after three of its passengers also tested positive on arrival last Friday, August 27.
In a statement, PAL said that the passengers, two Filipinos and one Chinese national, presented a negative RT-PCR coronavirus test result before leaving Manila.
It added that Hong Kong-Manila flights will still operate every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
"We consistently comply with industry and regulatory safety protocols in the Philippines and abroad. We assure the flying public that strict safety measures are in place to protect our passengers throughout the journey on all our flights," the airline said.
PAL said those affected by the ban could book their flights may rebook, refund, or convert their tickets into a travel voucher.
Currently, Cebu Pacific flies to Hong Kong every Wednesday and Thursday, while Cathay Pacific also has Manila-Hong Kong flights every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.
