Singapore-Hong Kong Travel Bubble Hits Snag
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The arrangement for quarantine-free travel between the two cities was due to begin on May 26, following two previous postponements. Singapore is reassessing plans for a travel bubble with Hong Kong after the city-state moved to reintroduce tighter social distancing measures amid a growing cluster of Covid-19 cases tied to a large public hospital. The number of cases in the cluster stands at 40 and is linked to the India variant.
We will monitor the situation and we will review and assess whether or not there will be any changes,» Lawrence Wong, the minister who co-chairs the Singapore government’s virus taskforce, said.
The travel bubble has already been delayed several times from its scheduled start in November 2020, as a result of infection outbreaks.
According to the terms of the agreement, the travel bubble will be closed for two weeks if the seven-day moving average of the daily number of unlinked local cases is more than five in either Singapore or Hong Kong.
On Tuesday, Singapore authorities announced stricter rules on social gatherings, to last till May 30, to stem the spread of Covid-19 in the community. Gatherings are now limited to groups of five, down from eight previously.
Offices are also to implement a flexible working and more people are to work from home – only 50 percent of staff are allowed at the workplace at any one time, down from 75 percent at present.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the primary reason for Singapore reassessing the travel bubble plans with Hong Kong?
What is the primary reason for Singapore reassessing the travel bubble plans with Hong Kong?
Singapore is reconsidering the travel bubble arrangement due to the reintroduction of tighter social distancing measures. This decision follows a growing cluster of Covid-19 cases linked to a large public hospital in the city-state.
Q.When was the travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong originally scheduled to begin?
When was the travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong originally scheduled to begin?
The travel bubble was originally scheduled to commence in November 2020. However, it has faced multiple delays and postponements since then due to various infection outbreaks in both cities.
Q.What specific criteria would lead to the travel bubble being closed for two weeks?
What specific criteria would lead to the travel bubble being closed for two weeks?
The travel bubble would close for two weeks if the seven-day moving average of daily unlinked local cases exceeds five in either Singapore or Hong Kong. This is a condition stipulated in the agreement's terms.
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