It’s been a rather rollercoaster week for people who are looking to travel to Hong Kong tomorrow.
In the last few days, the number of cases in Hong Kong suddenly spiked, leading to school closures. However, despite the high number of cases, it didn’t hit the number that would lead to a suspension of the travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong: average unlinked cases reaching 5 per day.
It will if there are 22 unlinked cases in Hong Kong in the next three days.
Last night, it was reported that the authorities would update us shortly on whether the travel bubble would go on.
This morning, it was confirmed that it would go on but with several extra precautions: for example, Hong Kong travellers coming over here are required to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival at Changi airport.
But hours later, that changed.
Transport Minister’s Latest Update: HK-SG Will Now Be Deferred by 2 Weeks
At 5:07 pm, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung posted this on Facebook:
Lest you can’t read:
This morning, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore announced that the Singapore-Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble (ATB) will be launched as scheduled, with arriving passengers subject to an on-arrival test as a further precaution.
Given the evolving situation in Hong Kong, Secretary Edward Yau and I discussed further this afternoon, and decided that it would be better to defer the launch of the ATB, by two weeks. We will review within two weeks on the new launch date and update again.
I can fully understand the disappointment and frustration of travellers who have planned their trips. But we think it is better to defer from a public health standpoint. The airlines will be contacting the travellers individually.
This is a sober reminder that the COVID-19 virus is still with us, and even as we fight to regain our normal lives, the journey will be full of ups and downs. But we will press on and look forward to when we can safely launch the ATB.
Simply put, the ATB would be deferred by two weeks, and there’s no guarantee that it’ll resume; instead, it will be reviewed again.
As for people who have purchased air tickets, the airlines will be contacting them soon.
Featured Image: Yung Chi Wai Derek / Shutterstock.com