S’pore, Hong Kong finalising details to start air travel bubble, says Minister Ong Ye Kung

Singapore and Hong Kong are “finalising details” of the revised agreement to start the air travel bubble between the two cities, which was initially slated to begin in November last year, said Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (14 Apr).

The air travel bubble between the two cities was previously deferred due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Transport earlier today, Mr Ong said: “We are finalising the details of our revised agreement and hope to announce our plans soon.”

The announcement was made after Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that only those who have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus will be allowed to fly from Hong Kong to Singapore under the travel bubble.

“The basis for discussion with Singapore is that people leaving Hong Kong and entering Singapore need to be vaccinated,” she said. “We want to provide incentives to encourage Hong Kong citizens to get vaccinated.”

Initially, the air travel bubble would only require passengers to be tested negative for COVID-19 before they can board the direct flights.

Meanwhile, the Government of Hong Kong said on 2 Apr that it prohibits Singapore Airlines (SIA) passenger flights departing from Singapore to land in Hong Kong from 3 April to 16 April.

This came after a passenger flying from Singapore to Hong Kong on 31 March was confirmed to have COVID-19.