The air travel bubble was delayed by at least two weeks after Hong Kong reported 43 new coronavirus cases on Saturday.
The travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore, which was due to start on Sunday, has been postponed due to a surge in infections in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
The air travel bubble aimed at boosting tourism in the two cities will be delayed by at least two weeks, Hong Kong Minister of Commerce and Economic Development Yau Teng-wah said at a news conference on Saturday.
The arrangement is designed to allow the entry of travelers between the two cities as long as they complete a coronavirus test before and after arriving at their destination and take designated flights.
Hong Kong reported 43 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, including 13 local infections that could not be traced.
“For any program to be successful, they have to meet conditions that ensure public health and ensure that both parties feel comfortable and safe about the program,” Yau said.
“Given the situation in Hong Kong, I think it’s responsible to put it on hold for a while and restart it when the time is right.”
He added that the plan would be revisited in December.
Under the original agreement, the travel bubble would be suspended if the number of untraceable local infections in Singapore or Hong Kong exceeded five on a seven-day moving average. Hong Kong’s current average is close to four flights, prompting Yau and Singapore’s transport minister Ong Ye Kung to delay the maiden flight.
On Friday, Hong Kong’s top health official said the city “could enter” a new wave of cases. The most recent clusters span taxi drivers, dance studios and hotels.
A total of 5,561 cases have been confirmed in Hong Kong, with 108 deaths. Singapore has reported 58,148 cases but only 28 deaths.
Before the postponement, Singapore said on Saturday morning that travelers arriving from Hong Kong via the bubble would be required to undergo a coronavirus test on arrival. Originally, only those who landed in Hong Kong were required to undergo testing.
In a Facebook post, Ong said the delay was a “sober reminder that the COVID-19 virus is still with us”.
“I can fully understand the disappointment and frustration of travelers who had planned their trip. But we think it’s best from a public health standpoint to postpone,” he wrote.
