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SINGAPORE: Singapore is studying a proposal from Hong Kong to reopen the borders safely, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Monday (March 29) after a Hong Kong official said it has resumed discussions on a travel bubble with Singapore.
“We are very happy that Hong Kong has kept the pandemic under good control in recent weeks. This is a very positive development, ”Ong said in a statement.
“We have received a proposal from Hong Kong to reopen the borders safely. We are studying it and will respond to Hong Kong shortly. “
There are two conditions for the resumption of the travel bubble with Singapore, Hong Kong Secretary of Trade and Economic Development Edward Yau told reporters on Monday.
These include a COVID-19 test before departure and after arrival.
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“As Professor Chan said, now there is a vaccination program and we have enough vaccines for the entire population,” he said referring to the Secretary of Food and Health, Sophia Chan.
“So under the travel bubble agreement, if Hong Kong people are going to travel, and if we are going to start any travel bubble agreement with other places, then vaccination will be a requirement.
“This is for our own protection. I think that will be the trend around the world in the long term. “
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Singapore and Hong Kong were scheduled to launch an air travel bubble in November last year, but it was postponed after Hong Kong saw a spike in COVID-19 cases.
On November 21, the day before the flights began, it was announced that the launch of the travel bubble had been postponed to early December.
It was later pushed back to 2021, and the exact start date has yet to be determined.
READ: Hong Kong-Singapore Air Travel Bubble May Launch ‘When Conditions Are Right’: Ong Ye Kung
Under that travel bubble arrangement, travelers between Singapore and Hong Kong will be subject to COVID-19 testing rather than quarantine or stay-at-home notice.
There were also no restrictions on the purpose of the trip and no requirement for a controlled itinerary or sponsorship.
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Yau noted that Hong Kong’s seven-day average number of COVID-19 cases has fallen since the beginning of March to less than five.
That was the “trigger point” for Hong Kong to resume talks with Singapore, he said, adding that the city is also exploring travel bubble deals with more than 10 countries and territories.
“We have written to some of the countries that are doing better such as Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand; their epidemic has subsided substantially so we will resume the discussion with them, but of course it depends on actual situation of the epidemic at that time, “said Mr. Yau.
Hong Kong authorities also announced Monday that the city will ease some of its coronavirus restrictions as the number of local infections drops significantly, following an outbreak earlier this month that caused a spike in cases and forced thousands. to be quarantined.
The quarantine for arrivals from countries considered low to medium risk, such as Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, will also be reduced from 21 to 14 days.
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