Hong Kong – Singapore travel bubble might be delayed

On Friday, a Hong Kong official announced that travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore set to open on May 26 is likely to be delayed. Notably, it would be the second time the plan to allow visits between the cities has been postponed.

The bubble among two of Asia’s leading financial hubs, which have both imposed strict border controls for the past year to keep out the COVID-19, had been slated to begin in November. However, it was suspended after a boost in infection rates in Hong Kong.

Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that given the rising number of coronavirus infections in Singapore, it is very likely that Singapore will not be able to meet the resumption criteria.

He announced that Hong Kong is a very safe region now as they do tens of thousands of tests a day, and they are picking up often zero if not one, two cases a day. So it’s a very safe area. According to Transport Minister, the problem now is the situation in Singapore, where infections are boosting.

Also, he pledged to closely monitor the numbers over the next few days, critically review the (ATB) start date, and, early next week, and make an announcement.

Singapore’s health ministry reported 24 locally transmitted coronavirus cases

The arrangement would let passengers travel between the two cities without spending time in quarantine, provided they test negative for the virus before leaving and upon arrival.

Singapore’s health ministry on May 13 reported 24 locally transmitted coronavirus cases. Remarkably, that’s the highest daily number since mid-September, with 17 of them linked to a cluster at its Changi Airport.

Earlier on May 14, Hong Kong Health Secretary Sophia Chan announced people arriving in the city from Taiwan would be required to quarantine at a designated hotel for 14 days upon arrival after a surge in domestic cases there.