Cassandra NervaFollowing Singapore’s Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) restrictions in place since Sunday, 16 May 2021, the deferment of the Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble has been confirmed for a second time since last November.
Why is the Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble deferred?
While the Singapore-Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble (ATB) was set to open on 26 May 2021, its deferral was decided upon after a steady rise was seen in Singapore’s active COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks. This decision was announced on Monday, 17 May 2021 by Singapore’s Minister for Transport, S Iswaran.
This time around, unlinked community cases started cropping up in Singapore. As a result, the government placed Singapore under Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).
Image credit: Victor He
For the ATB to finally push through, both Singapore and Hong Kong need to have less than five unlinked community cases within a seven-day period.
When will the Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble reopen?
Image credit: Shawn Ang
The re-opening of the Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble will be reviewed again towards the end of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) measures, which will last until 13 June 2021. Both sides remain “strongly committed” to launching the travel bubble safely; of course, the priority right now is maintaining the health of the community and travellers.
What if I booked a flight for the Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble?
Those travellers who had originally planned to travel during the Singapore-Hong Kong ATB will be directly contacted by either Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific (depending on which airline your ticket has been booked through) regarding this issue.
Singapore Airlines
Image credit: Singapore Airlines Official Website
Singapore Airlines is offering full refunds to all affected passengers. More information can be found over on their website.
Cathay Pacific
Image credit: Cathay Pacific Official Website
Cathay Pacific has released a statement stating that passengers will automatically be rescheduled for a new, non-ATB flight. This means that passengers will still be subjected to the country’s existing health measures and border controls; all incoming passengers from Hong Kong will be required to serve a seven-day stay-at-home notice upon entry into Singapore.
Of course, affected passengers have the option of requesting a full refund as well. For more information, visit their website.
Moving forward
While morale might be affected as this isn’t the first time that the Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble has been called off, both nations remain strongly hopeful of reopening this ATB again once the situation improves on both sides of the bubble.
Also read: Phua Chu Kang Features in a COVID-19 PSA Video to Remind Others to Get Vaccinated
Image credit: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore Official Facebook Page
Thus, the best thing we can do is to travel within the bounds of what is safe and healthy. As some staycations and cruises-to-nowhere in Singapore are still allowed, why not take the time to be tourists in our own country and explore what our little island has to offer?
Featured image credit (L-R): Swapnil Bapat; Ken Cheung
