The Hong Kong-S’pore Air Travel Bubble was supposed to be a mood-lifter for citizens of both countries. Amidst these tumultuous times, it was meant to restore a degree of normalcy, and re-cultivate a slight sense of tourism amidst wanderlust-struck travellers.
But it was not meant to be.
Initially set for a 22 November kick-off, the quarantine-free travel arrangement was ultimately put off. An onslaught of cases over in Hong Kong meant that we could no longer travel to the land of Dim Sum, and vice versa.
Much to the chagrin of affected travellers, some of whom had actually purchased tickets before the revelation.
And yet, the question begets. What has happened since then?
Is the situation over at Hong Kong still as dire? And is the Hong Kong-S’pore Air Travel Bubble genuinely a suspended notion, or one that has been subjected to permadeath?
Here are several insights we have since uncovered via reports.
Here’s What Happened To The Hong Kong-S’pore Air Travel Bubble Since Its Suspension
A few months after the travel bubble was first suspended due to a rise in cases in Hong Kong, things began to look up.
Or at least, that was what a recent South China Morning Post article suggested.
According to the report, Hong Kong and Singapore have finally begun talks once again, though this time both cities will supposedly consider extra protection measures.
“The old [conditions] still apply. But of course, both sides are discussing additional safeguards too,” a government source reportedly said.
This was later confirmed by Hong Kong’s Tourism Commission, and Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority.
“Overseas economies that are relatively stable with the pandemic and have close economic and trade relations with Hong Kong have proposed to explore the establishment of “tourism bubble,” a commission spokesman revealed.
The general consensus, however, was that more details will be announced when they’re ready.
For the arrangement to go through, conditions would have to prove good enough.
“We have to wait and see the development next week. If a V-shape rebound of cases does not occur next week, then it may be relatively more favourable,” a Hong Kong government adviser said.
Dismissed
But a subsequent 26 February report by SCMP would serve to annihilate all our hopes and dreams.
According to the report, discussions between both sides have indeed been progressing, but they have been cruelly cut short due to the situation over at Hong Kong.
Despite promising results, the number of unlinked cases there is still perceived as being too unstable.
For the bubble to start, there would need to be a “stable reduction” in new Covid-19 infections – a rolling seven-day average of unlinked cases of below five.
Despite earlier numbers, the figure in Hong Kong had stayed generally “borderline” over the last two weeks.
“As we are coming down from the most recent [outbreak], the figures we have seen have not come to the comfort zone that we can sort of confidently say we can start the air travel bubble arrangement,” said Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah.
“I think we have to wait and see whether there will be a steady and also stable reduction of such unlinked cases in Hong Kong,” Yau said.
Even so, one thing can be confirmed: the air travel bubble will be launched one day.
“We will discuss with Singapore how to implement it in the best and safest way. We don’t want to launch it and then maybe suspend it in a very short period of time,” Yau said.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung has stated that Singapore will not give up on the travel bubble as well.
“As you know, the agreement has been signed, concluded. We’re making a few tweaks, a few proposals to tighten it,” he said.
“But I think the key consideration now is this is shortly after Chinese New Year and both sides are being cautious. We want to watch if there’s any impact due to Chinese New Year on community transmission,” he added.
Vaccination
Considering how Hong Kong had launched its mass vaccination drive nearing the end of last month, it’s feasible to expect dipping numbers in the near future.
And when certain conditions click into place, so too will the prospects of an “air travel bubble” between both sides.
Until then, we can only wait.
Fingers crossed though.
Featured Image: Yung Chi Wai Derek / Shutterstock.com (Image is for illustration purpose only)
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