Additional Precautionary Safeguard For Passengers Arriving From Hong Kong On Air Travel Bubble Flights

           All arriving passengers from Hong Kong under the Singapore – Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble (ATB) will be required to take an on-arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at Changi Airport. This will take effect on 22 November 2020.

2.        The additional requirement is a precautionary measure given the rise of COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong over the past few days, and is provided for under the Singapore – Hong Kong ATB agreement. More cases are expected in Hong Kong over the next few days due to the emergence of new clusters. The Singapore and Hong Kong health authorities are in close contact and monitoring the situation.

3.        Under the terms of the Singapore – Hong Kong ATB agreement, the ATB will be suspended if the seven-day moving average of unlinked cases exceeds five per day. The figure for Hong Kong is currently at 2.14. The threshold will be exceeded if there are more than 22 unlinked cases in Hong Kong over the next three days. This will trigger a two-day notice period, after which suspension will come into effect. Prevailing border measures – a 7-day Stay Home Notice (SHN) in the case of travellers from Hong Kong – will then apply upon entry into Singapore.

4.        In the meantime, the Singapore – Hong Kong ATB arrangement will be launched as scheduled on 22 November 2020. Hong Kong has a comprehensive public health surveillance system and the overall incidence rate is still low.  All travellers under the ATB are already required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test and obtain a negative test result before departing for Singapore. As mentioned, travellers will now undergo a further on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test.

5.        The on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test will cost S$196 (including Goods and Services Tax) per traveller. To give travellers under the Singapore – Hong Kong ATB time to adjust to this change, they will not need to pay for the on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test for the first week, from 22 to 28 November 2020.  After the test, travellers must self-isolate in their place of residence, whether a hotel[1] or a home (for Singapore residents), while waiting for the results, which will take about six to eight hours. They are to take private transportation, taxi, or private hire car from the airport to their declared place of accommodation.

6.        Given the evolving COVID-19 situation, passengers travelling to Hong Kong are advised to stay vigilant, exercise precaution by avoiding crowded places and to adhere to Hong Kong’s prevailing public health measures at all times. They are advised to make contingency plans, because should the ATB be suspended, they may have to change their flights, and will have to undergo 7-day SHN upon return.