What a week it has been for travel enthusiasts – first, Taiwan’s confirmation of quarantine-free travel, followed closely by South Korea‘s announcement to open borders completely.
Get ready to pack your luggages – another country from the average Singaporean’s list of classic (ahem, basic) destinations comes bearing more good news.
Hong Kong is reportedly giving away 500,000 plane tickets for free.
Advertisements
If free lunch isn’t a thing, at least free plane tickets are
You read that right, so don’t buy your plane tickets just yet.
The tickets will purportedly be given out once the Hong Kong government removes all remaining restrictions on inbound arrivals, in order to attract all you dim sum lovers and Mong Kok shoppers back to the vibrant city.
It is reported that unless the COVID-19 situation significantly worsens, Chief Executive John Lee might announce Hong Kong’s plan to return to normalcy in his October policy address.
But wait, where did these tickets even come from in the first place? Why does the government, of all people, need so many plane tickets?
Remember back in 2020, when COVID-19 had just set in and we had to bid farewell to bubble tea during the circuit breaker?
Oh, and also when aviation sectors worldwide were crippled by the restrictions on air travel…
These 500,000 tickets were purchased by the Hong Kong government back in 2020 to inject cash directly into the city’s airlines.
By giving away these 500,000 tickets now, the Hong Kong government aims to fill up the streets again and boost tourism in Hong Kong.
Advertisements
However, it is estimated that even after the removal of its remaining restrictions, it will still take one to two quarters before tourists finally return to Hong Kong.
Join our Telegram channel for more entertaining and informative articles at https://t.me/goodyfeedsg or download the Goody Feed app here: https://goodyfeed.com/app/
But why are there suddenly expectations for Hong Kong to remove its remaining restrictions on inbound travellers?
Just last Friday (23 Sept), Hong Kong announced that it will be scrapping its COVID-19 hotel quarantine policy for all inbound arrivals.
This move comes after more than 2.5 years since the hotel quarantine policy was first implemented. Previously, inbound travellers had to be quarantined in hotels for three days upon arrival.
Now, Hong Kong authorities have come up with a new system dubbed “0+3“. All international arrivals will be able to head home or to stay at an accommodation of their choice, but will have to self-monitor for three days after entering the city.
Advertisements
During this three day period, inbound travellers are allowed to go to work or school but not allowed to enter bars or restaurants.
There’s optimism for the remaining restrictions to be removed, but I guess we can’t be all that sure yet.
That however, doesn’t mean to say that you can’t continue planning your year-end vacation.
While waiting for the Hong Kong government to relax all their remaining restrictions, why not watch this video to find out more about other potential destinations:
Advertisements
Read Also:
- Old Chang Kee Having IG-Worthy Tiger-Shaped Puff from 1 Oct for Children’s Day
- Heinz x Gong Cha Tomato Bubble Tea Review: Not Worth Every Cent Spent
- Everything About HPB’s ‘War Against Salt’ in S’pore You Should Know About
- 19YO M’sian Who Killed Her BF in Self-Defence Against His Sexual Advances Faces Death Penalty
- South Korea Opening Borders Completely from 1 Oct Without a Need for PCR Test
Featured Image: Getty Images
These five GRCs could see the tightest battle in GE2025; here’s why:
Read Also:
- Trump Exempts Electronics from 125% China Tariffs, Sparing Smartphones and Computers
- Elderly Charity Shop Owner Baffled by Over 50 Boxes of Mystery Donation Blocking Store Entrance
- DNA from Two Men Discovered on Murdered Singaporean Woman’s Clothing as Court Orders Comparison with Main Suspect
- Former Police Officer Convicted in Fatal Maid Abuse Case That Left Victim Weighing Just 24kg
- Teen Arrested in Johor for Selling AI-Generated Fake Nudes of School Peers for RM2 Each
