Travel between Singapore and Hong Kong is expected to resume on May 26, 2021 as both countries are set to introduce the Singapore-Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble (ATB).
In one Press release yesterdayThe Singapore Ministry of Transportation announced that both countries will closely monitor the COVID-19 situation from now until the scheduled launch date on May 26, 2021 and will proceed with the launch if the situation in both cities remains stable and under control.
ATB Singapore-Hong Kong cautiously takes off with one flight per day in each direction, limited to 200 passengers per flight for the first two weeks, and then checks the numbers.
The Singapore-Hong Kong ATB was originally scheduled to start in November 2020 but has been postponed by both parties due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong. During this period, both countries have reviewed the agreements and improved the agreement several times. This includes stricter conditions for the ATB to resume should it be suspended due to new COVID-19 community clusters in both cities.
Since then, the COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong has improved and there have been very few local unlinked COVID-19 cases in the past few weeks. Community cases in Singapore remained very low throughout. The risk profiles of both cities are therefore now similar.
Ong Ye Kung, Minister of Transport of the Republic of Singapore, said, “I am glad that Hong Kong has brought the COVID-19 situation under control. It has been a long month but conditions are now ripe for a fresh start again on The ATB. Both sides have to stay very vigilant for the next month so we can get the first flights off smoothly. It’s a major ATB between two aviation and financial services centers in Asia. “
Edward Yau, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Trade and Economic Development, said: “With the fourth wave of epidemics gradually stabilizing in Hong Kong, we have had an active discussion with Singapore about restarting ATB. The two governments have reached consensus on the latest regulations and the introduction of stricter ones Public health protocols in response to the recent epidemic. Our aim remains to strike a balance between public health and travel comfort, so that the public can feel safe while keeping them safe. “
Yau added that ATB’s restart is not only in line with people and the business community’s desire for cross-border travel, but also means that a gradual resumption of cross-border travel can be achieved through mutual cooperation between different locations.
“We will continue to communicate with the Singapore government and closely monitor the epidemic in both locations to ensure the smooth start of ATB,” added Yau.
Further details on the Singapore-Hong Kong ATB are provided by the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority.
Photo / 123RF
Human Resources Online is on Telegram! follow us @humanresourcesonline or Click here Find the latest weekly HR and HR news from the region here.
