01/26/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/26/2021 02:40
Approval of Saliva Testing for COVID-19, a welcome development to stimulate and boost air travel demand
RT-PCR Saliva testing generates faster results within three to four hours, after samples have been collected. It is also cheaper at P1,500-P2,000 compared to the RT-PCR swab test which ranges from P3,500-5,000.
Prior to this, only PRC laboratories are allowed to conduct the saliva test pending the parallel validation test being conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
AirAsia Philippines Spokesperson Steve Dailisan said, This will definitely positively increase the appetite of air travelers, especially for AirAsia leisure destinations such as Boracay and Bohol that require RT-PCR test. Saliva RT-PCR test is not only cheaper but also non-invasive and less stringent.