Hong Kong and Singapore COVID-19 travel bubble explained, and what it means for Australia

‘The new COVID normal’ is now one step closer with Singapore and Hong Kong’s travel bubble offering new hope to Aussies. This is how it will work.

This week, Singapore and Hong Kong announced it would launch a COVID-19 travel bubble between its two cities, allowing residents to travel more freely and in a way reminiscent of life before the pandemic.

Here’s everything you need to know about what the change means for the region, and Australia.

WHEN DOES THE TRAVEL BUBBLE BEGIN?

The travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong will begin on May 26. The bubble was originally planned to begin in November 2020, but was delayed due to an increase in cases in Hong Kong.

The new agreement will start with just one flight per day between the two cities, and with just 200 travellers per flight.

Travellers visit the popular Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. Picture: Anthony Wallace / AFP

“The relaunch [of travel] signifies that gradual resumption of cross-border travel is achievable through mutual collaborations among different places,” Hong Kong’s Commerce Secretary Edward Yau said during a press conference announcing the bubble on Monday.

“Our goal remains striking a right balance between public health and travel convenience so that the public will rest assured while maintaining certainty,” Mr Yai said.

ARE THERE ANY PREREQUISITES FOR TRAVELLERS?

Yes. All travellers must return a negative COVID-19 test before departure, and upon arrival at their destination city.

Residents of Hong Kong must also have had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and wait at least 14 days before travelling to Singapore.

“Both sides will need to stay very vigilant in the next one month, so that we can launch the first flights smoothly,” Singapore’s Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said during a press conference announcing the news.

Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific will manage the initial flights. Picture: Martin Abuggao / AFP

DO TRAVELLERS HAVE TO QUARANTINE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE BUBBLE?

No. Travellers who return negative tests before departure and upon arrival are exempt from quarantining.

WHO CAN TRAVEL AS PART OF THE BUBBLE?

Currently, the new bubble is only available to residents of Hong Kong and Singapore, but both governments hope to extend travel agreements in the near future.

“To get this bubble up successfully, I think we’ll have a significant signalling effect to the rest of the world,” Mr Ong said.

IS AUSTRALIA INCLUDED IN THE BUBBLE?

Not yet. While Australia has recently resumed its travel bubble with New Zealand, it has not yet struck an agreement with either Hong Kong or Singapore. However, talks are believed to be under way, and travel could resume within the region in the coming months.

People will be able to enjoy Singapore again after a new travel bubble has been introduced. Picture: Roslan Rahman / AFP

WHAT WILL CAUSE A SUSPENSION OF THE BUBBLE?

Both Singapore and Hong Kong authorities say they will pause the travel agreement if their respective seven-day case averages rise about five.

New cases began to creep up last week after Hong Kong reported a new case testing positive for the mutant N501Y strain, and Singapore reported a possible reinfection case in a migrant worker living in a high-density dormitory. The dormitories were the source of thousands of infections during the peak of the pandemic in 2020.

IS THIS THE FIRST BUBBLE OF ITS KIND FOR HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE?

Yes and no. The agreement is the first of its kind for Hong Kong, who has banned non-residents travelling to the city since March 2020.

Singapore, however, has various travel agreements in place with New Zealand, China and Brunei.

Originally published as Hong Kong and Singapore COVID-19 travel bubble explained, and what it means for Australia