[COVIDWatch]: Air travel bubble unfair towards Singaporeans?

By November 12, 2020 COVID-19, Transport

The announcement of a Singapore-Hong Kong air travel bubble by Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung had gotten people excited for the right and wrong reasons.

Those itching to go holidaying by air welcomed the news with open arms. The first flights between Hong Kong and Singapore have reportedly been sold out already. However, there were also people who expressed unhappiness at the perceived unfairness in the air travel bubble requirements.

One forum member made the following allegation on Hardwarezone. The forum member stated that Hong Kong travellers are not required to take a test upon arrival in Singapore and suggested that this was discriminatory.

We looked through news reports and travel advisories to have a better understanding of the air travel bubble.

Singapore travellers

  • First test in Singapore, 72 hours before departure.
  • Second test upon arrival at Hong Kong. Wait for results before entry.
  • Third test in Hong Kong, 72 hours before departure.
  • No test upon arrival in Singapore.

Hong Kong travellers

  • First test in Hong Kong, 72 hours before departure.
  • No test upon arrival in Singapore.
  • Second test in Singapore, 72 hours before departure.
  • Third test upon arrival at Hong Kong. Wait for results before entry.

Both Hong Kong and Singapore travellers are required to adhere to the host city’s health and safe distancing measures. For instance, Hong Kong travellers need to download and use the TraceTogether app while in Singapore.

Mr Ong Ye Kung had explained that the requirements for the air travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore are not designed to be “totally symmetrical”. While Singapore and Hong Kong had agreed to the need for pre-departure COVID-19 tests as a prerequisite for travel, both cities should have the flexibility to impose additional conditions.

So although what the forum member stated about Hong Kong travellers arriving in Singapore is true, his allegation that this is an unfair practice is false because both sets of travellers are subjected to a total of 3 tests regardless of the direction they travel.

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