Shreya NairSingaporean travellers may just get to continue their jet setting ways soon! Singapore will negotiate air travel bubbles with safe countries or regions, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Also read: Travel Bubbles: How They Work & If Asia Can Pull This Off Too!
If the initial Singapore travel bubbles proposal pushes through, the general public will be allowed to travel without a controlled itinerary, said Minister of Transport Ong Ye Kung. These two-way air travel bubbles will be different from reciprocal green lane arrangements.
Ong also stated that Hong Kong has announced its intention to establish such air travel bubbles with several countries, including Singapore. Singapore has responded positively and will work towards welcoming visitors in an attempt to revive its air hub.
Moreover, the Singaporean government has already begun unilaterally lifting border restrictions. The decision to establish air travel bubbles comes in addition to the measures already in place. The risks of this arrangement will be managed by strictly allocating a certain number of travellers per day. Singapore will also ensure that travellers adhere to COVID-19 protocols, such as coronavirus testing. Meanwhile, those planning trips to Singapore will have to acquire an air travel pass before their journey.
Also read: Singapore and Japan to Resume Essential Travel from September 2020
Unilateral opening of borders to certain countries
Image Credit: Changi Airport Group
Singapore will also strive to open its border and revive air travel in other ways. First, they will continue to pursue green lane arrangements, which will only allow essential business and official travel. Brunei, China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea are countries with which such arrangements have been made.
On top of this, Singapore will unilaterally lift border restrictions to certain countries and regions with extensive public health surveillance systems. Ong said, from an infection risk point of view, the risk of travellers carrying COVID-19 from these places is no higher than that of a Singapore resident coming from Jurong or Sembawang.
Despite the establishment of air travel bubbles, Singapore residents should not be too optimistic about the resumption of air travel at least by the end of this year, Ong stressed. Directives remain the same: Wear a mask, practise physical distancing, and stay at home as much as you can.
