The long-awaited air travel bubble arrangement between Singapore and Hong Kong has been once again put on hold indefinitely. The decision has been taken amid a fresh surge in the number of untraceable COVID-19 cases in Singapore. The decision was announced after a meeting between Singapore transport minister S. Iswaran and commerce chief of Hong Kong Edward Yau Tang-wah. The travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong was scheduled to begin on May 26. The scheme has faced several hiccups ever since it was announced for the launch in November 2020. The future course of action of the scheme will be decided on or before June 13. The current round of anti-pandemic measures is due to expire on June 13.
The Transport Ministry of Singapore said that the recent surge in unlinked community cases of COVID has not left a conducive environment for this scheme. “We are not able to fulfill the criteria mandatory for starting this travel bubble and therefore it has been decided that the scheme should be postponed indefinitely.” Meanwhile, government officials of Hong Kong said that they are continuously monitoring the situation and are in constant touch with officials in Singapore. “We will discuss this and will announce further details on or before June 13.” In the meantime, the two cities would continue to exchange all required data to access the situation. The two cities had agreed that the scheme will be suspended immediately if the number of unlinked local COVID-19 cases crosses the limit of five on an average moving seven-day basis.
Singapore has witnessed a sudden spike in the number of positive coronavirus cases. According to the health ministry of the city, there were 21 locally transmitted infections. Government officials said that 11 of them were not linked to previous cases. With this, the Singapore government has decided to tighten measures to curb the spread. Under the stricter measures, schools will remain closed and dine-in at restaurants or other establishments will remain banned. Meanwhile, the Singapore government has clarified that air travelers will be allowed to continue their journey but they would have to follow mandatory quarantine arrangements. At present, residents of Singapore need to be in seven day home quarantine on returning. People of Singapore visiting Hong Kong need to go for 21 days of quarantine at designated hotels. This is for people who are not inoculated. Vaccinated people would have to serve 14 days of quarantine.
The long-awaited air travel bubble arrangement between Singapore and Hong Kong has been once again put on hold indefinitely. The decision has been taken amid a fresh surge in the number of untraceable COVID-19 cases in Singapore. The decision was announced after a meeting between Singapore transport minister S. Iswaran and commerce chief of Hong Kong Edward Yau Tang-wah. The travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong was scheduled to begin on May 26. The scheme has faced several hiccups ever since it was announced for the launch in November 2020. The future course of action of the scheme will be decided on or before June 13. The current round of anti-pandemic measures is due to expire on June 13.
The Transport Ministry of Singapore said that the recent surge in unlinked community cases of COVID has not left a conducive environment for this scheme. “We are not able to fulfill the criteria mandatory for starting this travel bubble and therefore it has been decided that the scheme should be postponed indefinitely.” Meanwhile, government officials of Hong Kong said that they are continuously monitoring the situation and are in constant touch with officials in Singapore. “We will discuss this and will announce further details on or before June 13.” In the meantime, the two cities would continue to exchange all required data to access the situation. The two cities had agreed that the scheme will be suspended immediately if the number of unlinked local COVID-19 cases crosses the limit of five on an average moving seven-day basis.
Singapore has witnessed a sudden spike in the number of positive coronavirus cases. According to the health ministry of the city, there were 21 locally transmitted infections. Government officials said that 11 of them were not linked to previous cases. With this, the Singapore government has decided to tighten measures to curb the spread. Under the stricter measures, schools will remain closed and dine-in at restaurants or other establishments will remain banned. Meanwhile, the Singapore government has clarified that air travelers will be allowed to continue their journey but they would have to follow mandatory quarantine arrangements. At present, residents of Singapore need to be in seven day home quarantine on returning. People of Singapore visiting Hong Kong need to go for 21 days of quarantine at designated hotels. This is for people who are not inoculated. Vaccinated people would have to serve 14 days of quarantine.
