SINGAPORE: Singapore and Hong Kong are in “active discussion” on beginning the long-delayed air travel bubble between the 2 cities, confirmed Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung.
“We’re finalizing the details of our revised agreement and hope to announce our plans soon,” he stated in a press release issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Transport.
This comes after Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam stated on Tuesday that the territory plans to allow only residents who’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel to Singapore under the travel bubble, describing this requirement as the “basis for discussion” between the 2 cities.
This is despite authorities in Singapore not requiring mandatory vaccinations for Hong Kong travelers under the arrangement, she noted.
“We want to provide incentives to encourage Hong Kong citizens to get vaccinated,” stated Ms. Lam.
Mr. Ong had last month said that Singapore was studying a proposal from Hong Kong to reopen borders safely after the territory had managed to bring the pandemic under control.
The air travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore was originally scheduled to begin in November last yr but was deferred due to a spike in infections in Hong Kong.
The scheme would have allowed individuals to travel between the 2 cities with no restrictions on the purpose of travel and no requirement for a controlled itinerary or sponsorship.
Travelers would be subject only to COVID-19 tests, without the need for quarantine or stay-home notices.
Earlier this month Hong Kong had announced that Singapore Airlines (SIA) passenger flights departing from Singapore would not be allowed to land within the territory between Apr 3 and Apr 16, after a passenger onboard an SIA flight was confirmed to have COVID-19.
