A long-delayed travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore will begin on May 26, the two cities have said, as they move to re-establish overseas travel links and lift the hurdle of quarantine for visiting foreigners, according to media reports.
The bubble between two of Asia’s biggest financial hubs was slated to begin last November but was suspended after a spike in coronavirus cases in Hong Kong.
The scheme will start with one flight a day into each city, with up to 200 travellers on board, Hong Kong’s commerce secretary Edward Yau and Singapore’s transport minister Ong Ye Kung said at simultaneous media events.
Those wanting to travel from either city must test negative for COVID-19 before departure and on arrival. Hong Kong residents will only be able to fly to Singapore at least 14 days after they have had two doses of the COVID vaccine.
Travellers on the route – which attracted 15 to 20 flights a day each way before coronavirus – will not have to quarantine and there will be no restrictions on the purpose of travel. However, they should not have been anywhere other than Singapore or Hong Kong in the 14 days prior to departure.
