简体中文
The Singapore-Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble (ATB) is being launched on November 22 as scheduled, while all arriving passengers from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will now be required to take on-arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests at Changi Airport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced on Saturday.
The new requirement is added as COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong have been surging over the past few days, according to the CAAS.
Travelers under the ATB from Hong Kong will only be required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test and obtain a negative test result before departing for Singapore on the basis of the previous rules.
Composite image of the views of Singapore (L) and Hong Kong. /CFP
The launch of the ATB will go ahead as planned on Sunday despite the rise in Hong Kong's coronavirus cases, said the CAAS in a media release on November 21, adding that health authorities of both sides are in close contact and monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong.
The CAAS also said that the newly-added on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test will cost 196 Singapore dollars (about $145.89) per traveler, but Singapore will exempt travelers arriving in the first week from paying for the test, so as to give travelers under the ATB time to adjust to this change.
A press conference on the launch plan of the Singapore-Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble held in Hong Kong, China, October 15, 2020. /CFP
After the test, travelers will need to self-isolate in their place of residence – be it a hotel or home – while waiting for the results, which will take about six to eight hours, said the aviation authority.
They will also be required to take private transportation, taxi, or private hire car from the airport to their declared place of accommodation.
(Cover: A Singapore Airlines plane is seen parked at Hong Kong International Airport. /CFP)
