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Written by: Liang Huanmin
2021-02-20 14:24
The last update date: 2021-02-20 14:24
The fourth wave of the new crown pneumonia epidemic has slowed down, and the daily number of confirmed cases in Hong Kong near Japan has dropped to the low double digits, and even dropped to single digits on individual days.
The Hong Kong government recently started to relax some restrictions on gatherings.
The aviation "tourism bubble" plan established by Hong Kong and Singapore in November last year failed to set sail due to the fourth wave of the outbreak in Hong Kong. It is said that the Hong Kong government has seen a decline in cases of unknown origin in recent days and plans to restart with the Singapore authorities The discussion of "tourism bubble" will continue to implement the cooperation terms agreed by both parties.
Some tourism industry said that since Hong Kong and Singapore did not discuss vaccination matters when they discussed the details, if the original agreement is followed, the "bubble tour" can be reopened if the epidemic situation in the two places is stabilized.
If the Hong Kong epidemic is under control and the number of confirmed diagnoses continues to remain low, it is expected that there will be a chance to restart in mid-March at the earliest.
Hong Kong and Singapore reached a bilateral "air travel bubble" agreement in November last year, which eventually fell through due to an outbreak in Hong Kong.
(Profile picture)
At the end of November last year, Hong Kong and Singapore established an aviation "tourism bubble". As long as passengers from the two places pass the test and obtain a negative report, they can be exempted from local quarantine and quarantine, so that passengers from the two places can communicate with each other for local travel, work or Visiting relatives.
However, before the launch of the bubble tour, it needs to be postponed due to the fourth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong.
It is known that the Bureau of Commerce and Economic Affairs has been communicating with the Singaporean authorities. After the epidemic in Hong Kong has stabilized, the "bubble tour" can be reopened, and the terms are not much different from those set earlier.
In the past week, the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has gradually stabilized, and the daily average number of unclear diagnosis has maintained a single number, which is close to the conditions for negotiating with Singapore to activate the "tourism bubble".
That is, among the confirmed cases every 7 days, there are on average only 5 or less cases of unknown origin.
It is understood that the Hong Kong government and Singapore have already begun to discuss the issue of reopening the tourism bubble. If the epidemic situation in Hong Kong continues to be stable, there is a chance to determine the date of reactivation of the tourism bubble in the next two or three weeks, and it is expected to be as early as the middle of next month. Allow citizens to "fly out" to travel abroad if possible.
Yao Sirong believes that the citizens of the two places can still travel to each other if they are vaccinated.
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Yao Sirong, member of the Legislative Council of the tourism industry, said that the Hong Kong government has been in contact with the Singaporean authorities and observed the epidemic data. The two sides maintain a relationship of mutual trust.
Although the number of cases of unknown origin in Hong Kong has dropped recently, there are still ups and downs, so the situation remains to be seen.
According to his understanding, the two governments also have a tacit agreement. If the number of confirmed diagnoses in Hong Kong continues to be stable and low, I believe there will be good news soon, "because they all trust Hong Kong's numbers and embed epidemic prevention measures, and the Singapore authorities deal with the related issues. We also have our confidence that as long as the epidemic situation in Hong Kong is stable, I believe it can be implemented soon."
When asked if the tourism bubble restarts, would citizens need to be vaccinated before they can reach the local area, Yao Sirong said that when the two sides signed the agreement, there was still no vaccination plan.
Two months later, there has been progress in vaccine supply and vaccination around the world, but it will not affect the terms of the agreement signed at that time. I believe citizens of the two places can still travel together regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.
However, when Hong Kong citizens arrive in Singapore for travel, they will be required to download the local "Trace Together" mobile app to record their whereabouts.
Currently, Hong Kong has launched a similar "Travel with peace of mind" application. The tourism industry has not yet known whether the Hong Kong government will require local tourists to compulsorily use the peace of mind travel itinerary after arriving in Hong Kong. Details are yet to be confirmed by the two governments.
Singapore's tracking mobile app TraceTogether.
(Getty Images)
Yao Sirong also mentioned that since Singapore also hopes that the epidemic will be stabilized as soon as possible and commercial activities will resume between the two places, there is a greater chance of "making things happen". The introduction of the "tourist bubble" exchange between the two places may be earlier than the resumption of customs clearance between Hong Kong and the Mainland. There will be more vaccinations in the meeting, and will you be able to drive back to the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong under quarantine. I really have to wait and see.” But he believes that if the current epidemic in Hong Kong can continue to be low, he suggests that the authorities can. Take the lead in studying the restoration of interoperability with Macau, and then further discuss the opening up of tourism and commercial activities in the Greater Bay Area.
On November 21st, Qiu Tenghua announced that the tourism bubble will be postponed for two weeks, but the "stopping the door" will be suspended.
(Photo by Yu Junliang/Data Picture)
News: The Bureau of Commerce and Economic Affairs is in talks with about 10 places on "tourism bubbles"
It is known that the Bureau of Commerce and Economic Affairs is still negotiating with about 10 places for the "tourism bubble" cooperation plan. One or two places have a higher chance of success. However, since the current global epidemic is still severe, most areas have stabilized the local epidemic. As the focus, we will wait and see the cooperation between Hong Kong and Singapore before making a final decision.
As for Japan, although Japan plans to host the Tokyo Olympics during the summer vacation, the local epidemic is still severe. In addition, Hong Kong and the Japanese government have not discussed the final decision on interoperability. Hong Kong people who want to return to the "countryside" still have to wait for the development of the epidemic to stabilize.
The Bureau of Commerce and Economic Affairs stated that it is still watching the development of the epidemic in Hong Kong and there is no date for the reopening of the "tourism bubble" in the two places.
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