After months of postponing initial arrangements that allow tourists to travel between the two cities without the need for quarantine, Hong Kong and Singapore plan to launch an "Air Travel Bubble" next May. Flights are scheduled to begin on May 26. Visitors will not need to undergo quarantine as long as they meet the travel requirements within the air travel bubble.
Hong Kong and Singapore had previously announced the launch of an air travel bubble in November last year but suspended the plan just days before its start after Hong Kong experienced a rise in COVID-19 cases. The air travel bubble comes at a time when Singapore and Hong Kong are seeking to boost tourism amidst the pandemic, which has led many countries to close borders and reduce air travel.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Edward Yau, stated in a press release, "The two governments have reached a consensus on the latest measures and will implement stricter protocols regarding public health in response to recent pandemic developments." According to the Associated Press, Yau mentioned, "Our goal remains to strike the right balance between public health and travel so that the public can feel assured."
