Air Travel Bubble Decision Explained

Hong Kong and Singapore will continue their best possible efforts to resume normal bilateral travel and in doing so, a balance must be struck between the resumption of normality and the containment of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau made the statement today after both places decided not to pursue further discussions on launching the Hong Kong-Singapore Air Travel Bubble.

However, Mr Yau pointed out that because the local epidemic situation has stabilised, Singapore will soon lift its quarantine requirement for travellers arriving from Hong Kong.

“We have a rather stable situation and close to zero community case outbreak in Hong Kong. The Singapore government also recognises these positive developments and therefore will unilaterally allow visitors from Hong Kong to Singapore to have quarantine-free arrangements.

“We will continue to make our best endeavour to see if there are any ways and means to resume normal travel as much as we could. Having said that, we must maintain a balance between the resumption of normality and the containment of COVID.”

In response to a question concerning the quarantine exemption of overseas film personnel, the commerce chief stated that his bureau and the Create Hong Kong office do facilitate local and foreign film makers and producers to do their film shooting or production in Hong Kong.

Mr Yau explained that the production team, currently doing a major TV series in the city in the coming weeks and months, was granted such an exemption under the law and the people concerned must comply with certain requirements.

“We have helped them and successfully sought approval under Cap 599E (Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation) to have certain exemptions made.

“These arrangements are not allowing anybody to be set free, but rather there are a number of conditions attached, including but not limited to, full vaccination before departure, tests upon arrival, confirmation of negative COVID results, a designated place of stay and sharing of itinerary prior to the trip.

“Not to mention that they must use dedicated transport instead of public transport. All these measures are meant to contain the risks in a manageable manner.”