Singapore, Hong Kong to form travel bubble

Singapore and Hong Kong will establish the first reciprocal travel bubble that will not require quarantine upon arrival, the Singapore government said Thursday.

The agreement was reached between Singapore Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung and Hong Kong's commerce secretary, Edward Yau.

A launching date for the bubble had not been specified as the governments still needing to iron out details over the coming weeks.

People traveling under the arrangement will need to test negative for the coronavirus before boarding their flights.

There are no limitations regarding travel purposes, allowing travelers to move freely in either city without a predetermined itinerary.

Airlines should also operate dedicated routes where transit passengers are not allowed.

Ong described the plan as a "safe, careful but significant step" for reviving air travel, and "provide a model" for collaboration with other countries.

He added that it is significant that the two regional aviation hubs have collaborated on the air travel bubble.

Ong noted that based on his research, it is the first-ever reciprocal travel bubble.