SINGAPORE: Singapore and Hong Kong will defer the launch of an air travel bubble to next yr amid a spike in COVID-19 instances within the Chinese language metropolis, stated Singapore’s aviation authority.
The travel bubble was initially scheduled to start out on Nov 22, however, each city started the day earlier than flights had been to start that the launch can be delayed by two weeks to early December.
On Tuesday (Dec 1), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) stated the travel bubble will probably be deferred “past December” and the precise beginning date will probably be reviewed late this month.
Singapore and Hong Kong selected the deferment after additional reviewing the COVID-19 state of affairs in Hong Kong, the place native unlinked instances are nonetheless excessive, CAAS stated.
Below the travel bubble, travelers between Singapore and Hong Kong will probably be topic to COVID-19 checks, in lieu of quarantine or stay-home discovery.
There will probably be no restrictions on the aim of the travel and no requirement for a managed itinerary or sponsorship.
CASS mentioned passengers ought to contact their airways concerning their travel plans.
“The Singapore and Hong Kong authorities have been in shut dialogue and can replace when there are additional developments,” CAAS added.
A Hong Kong authorities spokesperson stated in a separate assertion that the choice to defer the travel bubble was made “in view of the severity of the epidemic state of affairs in Hong Kong with the variety of native instances of unknown sources rising quickly”.
Hong Kong on Monday tightened restrictions aimed toward containing an increase in COVID-19 instances, limiting gatherings to not more than two people, closing karaoke lounges and video games centers, and telling most civil servants to make money working from home.
The measures come along with restrictions that may see all colleges shut for the remainder of the yr from Wednesday.
“It is going to be very important within the coming two weeks,” stated Hong Kong Chief Govt Carrie Lam.
On Monday, Hong Kong reported 76 new COVID-19 instances, bringing the overall within the metropolis of seven.4 million to greater than 6,300 because the epidemic began, with 109 deaths.
