BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific on Sunday said it was extending its free “Test Before Boarding” program for Hong Kong (HK)-bound passengers until Oct. 15.
“Passengers are advised to directly proceed to the Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory (PADLAB) located at the second floor, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 pre-departure area (near Gate 6), four hours before the scheduled time of departure,” the airline said in an advisory.
Testing for passengers flying to Hong Kong is available from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. six times weekly.
“Antigen test results will be released within 30 minutes, and only passengers with negative results may proceed to the check-in area,” the budget carrier noted.
Cebu Pacific, operated by Cebu Air, Inc., launched its Test Before Boarding program for Hong Kong-bound travelers on Sept. 17.
This comes after Hong Kong’s 14-day ban on Cebu Pacific from transporting passengers from Manila ended on Sept. 16. Separate bans were placed on both Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines after some passengers tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) upon arrival.
Passengers who are not able to take the test or those who receive a positive COVID-19 result will not be allowed to check in.
Those passengers have the option to rebook their tickets, store their money in a travel fund, or request a refund. — Arjay L. Balinbin
