SINGAPORE, 2 December 2020: Singapore and Hong Kong have deferred the commencement of the Singapore – Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble (ATB) to beyond December 2020, according to the latest Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore update.
The decision followed a review of the Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong, and “given that local unlinked cases are still high, both parties have decided to defer,” the CAAS stated in the 1 December media statement. The exact start date of the ATB arrangement will come up for review in late December.
Originally the Singapore – Hong Kong ATB was announced on 11 November and scheduled for launch 22 November. However, a spike in Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong that exceeded the average maximum cases allowed over seven days forced the two countries to postpone the launch for 14 days when the situation would come up for review.
Under the ATB conditions, travellers between Singapore and Hong Kong will be subject to Covid-19 tests, in lieu of quarantine or a Stay-Home Notice. There are also no restrictions on the purpose of travel and no requirement for a controlled itinerary or sponsorship.
CAAS said passengers should contact their airlines regarding their travel plans while the Singapore and Hong Kong authorities have been in “close discussion and will update when there are further developments.”
Hong Kong reported, 1 December, 6,314 cumulative cases and 109 deaths. The incidence rate is 84.22 per 100,000 of the population.
(Source: CAAS)
