Long-Delayed Singapore-HK Travel Bubble to Begin on May 26

Nearly half a year since it was initially announced, the Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble is finally set to begin on May 26. The move is geared towards re-establishing overseas travel links and easing the burden of quarantine for travellers coming from these countries.

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The bubble between two of Asia’s strongest financial hubs had been delayed since last November due to a spike in coronavirus cases in Hong Kong.

Long-Delayed Singapore-HK Travel Bubble to Begin on May 26

Quarantine-Free Travel between SG to HK Possible Starting May 26

According to Singapore Transport Minister Ong Ye Ku and Hong Kong Commerce Secretary Edward Yau, the scheme will commence with one flight a day into each city, with up to 200 travelers per flight, Channel News Asia Singapore reported.

With this development, travellers from either city must test negative for COVID-19 before departure and on arrival. Moreover, Hong Kong residents can only fly to Singapore at least 14 days after they have had two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, travelers on the route – which attracted 15-20 flights a day each way pre-pandemic – won’t have to quarantine and there will be no restrictions on the purpose of travel.

The two ministers pointed out, however, that if the seven-day moving average of the daily number of unlinked local COVID-19 cases is more than five for either Singapore or Hong Kong, the scheme will need to be suspended.

According to Yau, “The re-launch … signifies that gradual resumption of cross-border travel is achievable through mutual collaborations among different places.”

The two Asian countries are also communicating with places like New Zealand and Australia for similar travel bubbles. The scheme was finally approved as the conditions are currently ideal for the travel bubble despite recent community cases, with the two Asian cities effectively containing the local virus as compared with other developed cities.

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