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SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung warned on Saturday (Nov 21) that there is a “high probability” that the Singapore-Hong Kong air travel bubble will be suspended if the COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong it continues on its current trajectory.
Speaking to reporters a day before the travel plan was launched on Sunday, but with additional COVID-19 testing for Hong Kong travelers, Ong said both cities were “still considered low risk.”
“So tomorrow, the air travel bubble will be launched. But there is a high probability that if Hong Kong continues to have dozens of cases with a considerable number of unrelated cases, it will be suspended. On what we have agreed to,” said the Mr. Ong.
Under the terms of the travel bubble, the deal would be suspended if the seven-day moving average of unrelated cases exceeds five per day in either city.
On Saturday morning, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said the figure for Hong Kong was currently 2.14.
If there are more than 22 unrelated cases in Hong Kong over the next three days, the threshold of five will be exceeded, CAAS said. A two-day notice period will then be triggered, after which the suspension will take effect.
Hong Kong is experiencing an increase in the number of cases, a situation that the Secretary of Food and Health, Sophia Chan, has described as “serious”. 26 new infections were reported on Friday.
READ: Singapore-Hong Kong Travel Bubble: Additional COVID-19 Test for Hong Kong Passengers, Flights for Sunday
“NATURAL PARTNERS”
On Saturday, Mr. Ong also referred to Hong Kong as a “natural partner” for the air travel bubble, citing its resilience, reliability and dependability.
He acknowledged that implementing an arrangement like the travel bubble would not be easy, but explained why both parties decided to go ahead.
“We are cities and we depend on the world to make a living and survive. We are both hubs of aviation,” Ong said.
“So it wasn’t just about bringing in tourists, which is important, but also making sure that we continue to have our airlines, we continue to have our Changi airport and they continue to have their HKIA (Hong Kong International Airport).
“And we continue our way of life and somehow preserve our identity as people of global cities.”
READ: Air Travel Bubbles, More Green Lanes Part of Plans for Singapore to ‘Revive’ Changi Air Hub Amid COVID-19 – Ong Ye Kung
Mr. Ong spoke at the Singapore Airlines (SIA) Training Center, as SIA began the first of its behind-the-scenes tours that will take place this weekend and next.
He acknowledged that the launch of the travel bubble was somewhat “tainted” by the COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong, but said that with proper precautions (wearing masks, social distancing and avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated areas) travel still they were possible. .
“I think you can still have a very meaningful and enjoyable trip, be it to Hong Kong or Singapore.”
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