[UPDATED 11 Nov 2020]
It's official! Singaporeans will be able to travel to Hong Kong for leisure starting 22 November 2020! This is the first air travel bubble agreement that Singapore has launched and it comes after the travel bubble was proposed last month.
For the uninitiated, through this agreement, both sides have agreed to allow travellers between both places to be exempted from quarantine or stay-home notices. But they must take a COVID-19 test beforehand. Since most of you are travel-deprived right now, you might be wondering if you can already start planning your Hong Kong trip. We've rounded up this all-in-one guide on what you need to know before booking your flight to Hong Kong!
1. How will the travel bubble be carried out?
It will start with one flight per day into each city and there's a quota of 200 travellers per flight. Starting from 7 December 2020, there'll be 2 flights per day. This will be increased to two flights a day from Dec 7.
Travellers can only board one of the following flights between both countries:
- From 22 Nov - SQ890 and CX759
- From 7 Dec - SQ890, SQ891, CX734, CX759
Travellers would not have any restrictions on their travel movements or have a controlled itinerary while they are in either country. For those of you who are wondering what flight prices are like in end-November and December 2020, we've rounded them up in this guide!
However, if the average number of unlinked COVID-19 cases in both Singapore and Hong Kong exceeds 5, the air travel bubble will be suspended.
P.S. Check out our guide on hygiene tips to practise during your flight and general hygiene tips while travelling.
2. Who is eligible to travel and will there be any regulations?
Anyone who has been in Singapore or Hong Kong for the last 14 consecutive days will be allowed to travel under the travel bubble. Work permit and S-Pass holders working in construction, marine shipyard or process sectors in Singapore won't be able to travel.
3. How do I take the COVID-19 PCR test?
As mentioned earlier, travellers from both sides will need to test negative for the COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and they have to take the test 72 hours before departure. The cost ranges from around $200-$300. Once travellers arrive in Hong Kong, they will need to take another COVID-19 test and remain at the airport until the test results are out. This process could take around 4 hours. You will have to book and pay for the test before departing from Singapore. Find out more info here.
But where exactly can you take a COVID-19 PCR test in Singapore? Before your trip, you'll need to apply for approval on this SafeTravel site at least 7 days before your flight and you'll get a response via email. Do note that you'll need a confirmed flight ticket to Hong Kong. With the approval, you can take the test at any of these recognised clinics or testing centres. From 1 Dec 2020, you won't need to apply for approval before undergoing the test.
When travelling to Singapore from Hong Kong, you'll also need to take a COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours before your flight. Check out this link for a list of recognised clinics in Hong Kong. However, if you're travelling between both cities within 3 days, you won't need to take another test before going home.
4. Keep up to date with hygiene and safety measures in Hong Kong
Before you go on your trip, it's also important for you to check the hygiene and safety measures in Hong Kong. Just like how Singapore has Safe Entry and the SG Clean certification, you might also find something similar in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched a standardised COVID-19 hygiene protocol with the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency for tourism-related industries. Find out more on this page.
5. Are Malaysians and Indonesians allowed to travel to Hong Kong?
Currently, both Malaysians and Indonesians are not allowed to travel to Hong Kong for leisure. For updates, do check your country's immigration departments.
The Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble is definitely a huge step in the right direction. And we hope it will pave the way for travel bubbles with more countries. For now, it's time to check out our guides to plan your Hong Kong trip: