As part of measures to control the spread of COVID-19, the Hong Kong government announced on Sunday the temporary suspension of Philippine Airlines to operate flights from Manila to Hong Kong.
The ban will last from August 29 until September 11. It was imposed after three out of seven imported cases in Hong Kong were identified as passengers of PAL’s PR-300 flight from Manila.
In a statement, PAL said the ban only affects its Manila-Hong Kong leg. The flag carrier will continue to operate passenger flights on the Hong Kong-Manila sector as scheduled, flying every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
According to its press release, the ban is imposed as Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) detected three COVID-19-positive cases on PAL flight PR-300 on August 27. Turkish Airlines is also barred from flying to Hong Kong since three cases were detected on flight TK-083 from Istanbul, Turkey.
Consequently, the Hong Kong Department of Health “…invoked the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) to prohibit the landing of passenger flights from Manila and Istanbul respectively operated by the above airlines in Hong Kong from August 29 to September 11.”
PAL said the three positive cases on its flight (two Filipinos and a Chinese national) presented negative COVID-19 test results when they checked-in for their flights to Hong Kong.
The flag carrier reassures that safety and health have been the top priority. It will continue to implement its strict anti-COVID-19 measures on all its flights and facilities.
PAL said: “We reiterate that the top priority of Philippine Airlines has always been the safety and health of our passengers.”
“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.”
Passengers affected by the ban may rebook, refund or convert their tickets into a travel voucher. Rebooking and refund service fees are waived.
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