Cassandra NervaSouth Korea is accelerating plans for a travel bubble with Singapore and Taiwan to start as early as July. This opportunity for quarantine-free travel will be open to fully vaccinated individuals.
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum spearheaded this decision, acknowledging the importance of travel bubbles to South Korea’s recovering travel industry. Badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for South Korea to revive air travel is essential.
Also read: South Korea Upsized: A Traveller’s Guide to Korea’s City Life and Coastal Views
Image credit: Aiytan
South Korea is planning to launch a travel bubble with other countries as well. These include Thailand, Guam, as well as the island of Saipan.
First phase of the South Korea travel bubble with Singapore and Taiwan
Visitors planning to embark on this first phase of the travel bubble can only explore South Korea on selected package tours. Travellers must adhere to the itinerary, and free-roaming won’t be permitted.
Of course, travellers must undergo a COVID-19 test and submit negative results three days before departure, plus receive another test upon arrival.
The situation in South Korea
Among South Korea’s 51.8 million population, about 17.9% have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This data is updated as of Wednesday, 9 Jun 2021. In order to achieve herd immunity, 70% of the population must be fully vaccinated by November.
Image credit: Alexandre Chambon
South Korea currently has a national campaign to encourage mass vaccination with the help of incentives. For instance, individuals can freely roam without a mask and have bigger family gatherings from July. This applies to those with at least one dose of the vaccine.
From July, fully vaccinated individuals will also be exempted from the current gathering ban of more than four people.
The situation in Singapore
Home to 5.69 million people, more than one-third of people in Singapore have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Image credit: Shawn Ang
Singapore has ongoing air travel pass agreements with China, Brunei, New Zealand, and Australia (excluding the state of Victoria). Travellers from these countries may enter Singapore as short-term visitors. Upon arrival, visitors are required to isolate up to 48 hours while awaiting their COVID-19 test results.
Hong Kong decided to launch a travel bubble with Singapore as well, but had to postpone its launch twice due to rising COVID-19 cases — first in Hong Kong last November, and second in Singapore this May.
What to do now?
Image credit: Bundo Kim
While waiting for the South Korea travel bubble with Singapore and Taiwan, why not visit Southeast Asia’s very own Koreatowns for a little glimpse of what your future trip might look like?
In the meantime, share this good news with friends and family who’ve been yearning to visit South Korea!
