Looks like the only way to scoot to Hong Kong for the next two weeks will be on a scooter.
From 16 April to 29 April, our beloved (or not so beloved, if you are tall or need food mid-flight) budget airline Scoot will not be permitted to carry passengers from Singapore to Hong Kong.
Everything About The ‘Ban’ Of Scoot Flights In HK That’s Caused By 3 Passengers
The Straits Times reports that, according to Hong Kong regulations, an airline’s inbound services will be suspended if more than three passengers on one flight test positive for COVID-19.
A combination of one passenger with irregular documents and one infected passenger will also trigger a suspension.
Unluckily enough for Scoot, two passengers on one of its Hong Kong flights earlier this month tested positive for COVID-19. Another did not have travel documentation fulfilling Hong Kong requirements.
Both of the infected passengers tested negative for COVID-19 before departure, but were found to carry the virus after arriving in Hong Kong.
Come on, it’s not Scoot’s fault… Unlike their tasteless chicken rice.
For the passenger with invalid travel documents, though, Scoot promises to “reinforce our protocols and staff training in conducting document checks”.
It also offers a rebooking, where possible, or a refund to the unlucky passengers of future flights who get to travel in the age of COVID-19, only to have their flights suddenly cancelled.
Weirdly enough, services from Hong Kong to Singapore will still resume. Is Scoot planning on flying empty planes to Hong Kong? The climate isn’t happy about that.
Other Airlines Not Spared
The moratorium on Scoot flights will start on the same day as the end of a similar ban on Singapore Airlines, according to The Straits Times.
On 31 March, three passengers on flight SQ882 to Hong Kong were found to be non-compliant with regulations on entering the territory. They had, apparently, taken their pre-departure COVID-19 tests at unauthorised medical facilities.
One passenger was also found to be infected with the coronavirus, despite testing negative pre-departure.
Why does the coronavirus always pop up mid-flight?
Inbound flights from Singapore Airlines were then suspended by Hong Kong from 3 April until 16 April. Maybe SilkAir will be the next in line… oh wait, it doesn’t exist anymore.
Before anyone gets the impression that Hong Kong has beef with Singapore, however, know that the territory simply has strict regulations and has banned airlines numerous times before.
Air India, for example, was banned a total of five times over a period of four months, and the Hong Kong Government has issued suspensions 23 times in total since last August.
We hope the flights fare better when the elusive travel bubble finally comes into action. Please…
Featured Image: mokjc / Shutterstock.com
Watch this for a complete summary of what REALLY happened to Qoo10, and why it's like a K-drama:
Read Also:
- Woman Tried Bribing Officer in S’pore Immigration, Thinking It’s a M’sia Officer
- There Might Not Be Crazy Rich Asians 2 in the Near Future
- Everything About Donald Trump’s Controversial Cabinet’s Picks That Are Known So Far
- Pet-Friendly Cafe Just 10 Minutes Away From JB CIQ Has Furry Floral Decor, Pastries & Mains
- 4 Handrolls For S$4 At Japanese Handroll Bar In Duxton Road On 17 November 2024
- Everything About The Deepfake Nude Photo Scandal in S’pore Sports School
Advertisements
