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SINGAPORE: The Singapore-Hong Kong air travel bubble begins on November 22 with an initial one-day flight to each city, according to details released by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Wednesday (November 11).
Travelers between the two cities will have to take exclusive flights, with a maximum of 200 passengers in each direction, and take COVID-19 tests. They will not be subject to quarantine or notice of stay at home.
Before your maiden flight, here are a few things to keep in mind if you are considering a Hong Kong getaway:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Anyone who has been in Singapore or Hong Kong for the last 14 consecutive days before departure can travel.
There are no restrictions on the purpose of the trip and no controlled itinerary or sponsorship is required.
However, for Singapore, holders of work permits and S Passes in the construction, marine shipyard or process sectors are excluded from the agreement.
As for Hong Kong travelers, they must apply for an Air Travel Pass between seven and 30 days before their planned date of entry into Singapore. Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders are exempt from this requirement.
READ: Singapore and Hong Kong air travel bubble to start Nov 22 with 200 travelers per way per day
WHAT ABOUT THE COVID-19 TESTS?
Travelers from Singapore will be tested for COVID-19 at three points: before departing Singapore, upon arrival in Hong Kong, and prior to departing Hong Kong.
In Singapore, they must first test negative on a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 72 hours of their scheduled departure time.
Those who plan to take the test before December 1 will need to apply for approval using a confirmed Hong Kong flight ticket at least seven days before departure, before contacting and arranging their test with a recognized test center. Starting December 1, they will not need to request approval.
Travelers are also required to submit a health declaration and present it at the airport when they arrive, according to information on the Hong Kong Tourism Commission website.
Upon arrival, travelers will need to take a PCR test at Hong Kong International Airport. They must book and pay for this test before leaving Singapore.
Travelers must stay at Hong Kong airport until they receive negative test results.
Finally, before departing from Hong Kong, travelers must take a PCR test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time at a recognized testing center.
Children 12 and under do not need to be tested before leaving Hong Kong.
HOW FREQUENT ARE THE FLIGHTS?
From November 22 to December 6, there will be one daily flight each way with a limit of 200 passengers on board.
Starting December 7, this will increase to two daily flights each way. The quota remains at 200 passengers per flight.
Flights in the air travel bubble are operated by Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific according to the following schedule:
(Table: Singapore Civil Aviation Authority)
READ: The air travel bubble in Singapore and Hong Kong is an ‘important step’ for the continued recovery of the airline industry
WHAT MEASURES SHOULD I OBSERVE DURING MY TRIP?
All travelers must comply with current public health and safe distancing measures in both Singapore and Hong Kong. That includes wearing masks and sticking to boundaries in group gatherings.
In Singapore, Hong Kong travelers must download and register for the TraceTogether app on their mobile phones and keep it activated during their stay. They must also keep the app on their phones for 14 days after leaving Singapore.
WHAT IF I PROBY POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?
Travelers who test positive for COVID-19 while in Hong Kong or Singapore will bear the full cost of any medical treatment, subject to current healthcare and medical policies.
CAN THE AIR TRAVEL BUBBLE BE SUSPENDED?
Yes, the air travel bubble will be suspended for two weeks if the seven-day moving average of the daily number of unrelated COVID-19 cases exceeds five in Singapore or Hong Kong.
The deal will resume if the seven-day moving average falls to five or less on the last day of the suspension period.
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