Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble postponed again | New
The air bubble deal between Singapore and Hong Kong – due to start on May 26 – has been postponed indefinitely for the second time.
In a statement, Singapore’s transport ministry said the decision was made following “the evolving situation of Covid-19 in Singapore.”
The city-state has reported in recent days an increase in local transmissions of coronavirus of unknown origin, resulting in 18 unrelated cases reported on May 16.
Singapore and Hong Kong had previously said the travel bubble would be suspended for at least 14 days if the seven-day moving average of local transmissions unrelated to Singapore or Hong Kong exceeded five.
“In light of the recent increase in unrelated community cases, Singapore is unable to meet the criteria to start the Singapore-Hong Kong air transport bubble. the two parties have therefore agreed to postpone the launch… to protect the health of travelers and the public in these two places, ”adds the ministry.
Singapore and Hong Kong “will review the new launch date” before mid-June when the heightened socialization measures – imposed for a month until June 13 – are lifted.
The two governments also stressed that they “remain firmly resolved” to launch the travel bubble, “with a view to resuming air travel between the two regional aviation hubs and international cities in a progressive and orderly manner within the framework of a set of rigorous public health monitoring protocols. “.
The delay is the latest setback in the organization of travel without quarantine. The two cities originally planned to launch the travel bubble in November last year, but plans were scuttled at the eleventh hour following a spike in cases in Hong Kong.
The second attempt at travel bubble arrangements between the two cities was officially announced on April 26 and included more stringent measures to protect public health. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific were to have operated flights under the deal, with frequencies gradually increased to twice daily flights, with a maximum capacity of 200 passengers per flight.