Hong Kong and Singapore will finally start a quarantine-free air travel bubble.
It will get off the ground with a start date of May 26, ensuing many hindrances that led to the plan initially being dropped last November.
Due to the pandemic, the two countries have been close off from the rest of the world. But, for months they are considering reviving the travel corridor.
On Monday, Hong Kong stated the details and requirements for would-be travellers. The country says that people must have had two vaccine doses at least 14 days before flying.
While Singapore has not made such a requirement yet.
Two airlines will operate the flight: Cathy Pacific Airlines Ltd. And Singapore Airlines Ltd.
Cathy Airlines would leave Hong Kong at 9:10 a.m. on May 26. Singapore Airlines will leave at 8:40 a.m. on the same day.
These daily flights in the bubble will start from June 9 or 10. And as the pandemic is at its peak, each flight limit is up to 200 travellers. Its shares rose more than 2% on Monday.
The travel bubble is expected to lift air traffic for both airlines by 3%.
The two major financial hubs have been planning this travel bubble since the coronavirus cases picked up in Hong Kong.
But recently the plan was cancelled by Singapore.
“It has been a long few months, but the conditions are now ripe again,” Singapore’s Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said in a statement. “Both sides will need to stay very vigilant in the next month so that we can launch the first flights smoothly.”
Furthermore, covid cases in Singapore are seen to be low and the life there is returning to normal.
Hong Kong also might reopen bars and restaurants later this week, keeping in mind the covid guidelines.
Travellers must take Covid-19 tests. They cannot visit any other place except these two countries in the two weeks before departure.
People visiting Hong Kong have to use Singapore’s TraceTogether mobile app. While those who are visiting Singapore will have to use the LeaveHome Safe app in Hong Kong.
