The much-delayed travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong is on track for a mid-May launch, despite the latter having confirmed the first Covid-19 infection with a mutant strain in the community.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, insider sources have revealed that details on the travel bubble are set to be released in the coming days. The report also quoted a source as saying that both sides are keen for the plan to materialise as soon as possible.
The development follows Singapore’s announcement that the stay-home notice period (SHN) for travellers from Hong Kong will be reduced from 14 days to seven days from Thursday (April 22), and they will be allowed to serve their SHN at their place of residence.
Travellers will also be required to take a Covid-19 PCR test upon arrival and another PCR test before the end of their seven-day SHN.
Hong Kong will also shorten the self-isolation period for fully vaccinated visitors from Singapore, requiring them to serve only a seven-day quarantine at a designated hotel, instead of 14, from as early as end-April or early May. Additionally, Singaporean travellers who have not been vaccinated will need only quarantine for 14 days at a designated hotel, as compared to 21 days previously.
Hong Kong travellers who wish to join the travel bubble scheme will have to be fully vaccinated. However, Singapore will not impose the same vaccination requirement for incoming travellers from Hong Kong.
