Hong Kong and Singapore have decided not to pursue further discussions on the bilateral Air Travel Bubble after taking into account the differences in the anti-epidemic strategies currently adopted by both sides, according to the Hong Kong government's official announcement on August 19.
The two governments announced the decision, saying that they will continue to facilitate movements of travellers between both places under their respective border control measures.
Singapore has now moved towards a new strategy of building a "COVID-resilient" nation and therefore the basic premises that underpin the travel bubble have changed. For example, the seven-day moving average of unlinked local cases, which is the criterion for suspending and resuming the travel bubble as per the agreed framework, may not be kept consistently at the required level in Singapore as a result of its new strategy.
Hong Kong said it also welcomed Singapore's announcement to unilaterally allow entry of travellers from Hong Kong into Singapore quarantine-free from August 20, adding that it is a step forward in resuming cross-border travel between the two regional aviation hubs and international cities.
