Singapore and Hong Kong will start quarantine-free travels between the two cities from May 26 onward. According to Singapore’s transport minister Ong Ye Kung, Hong Kong handled the COVID-19 situation well and is now under control. He added that the “conditions are now ripe again to re-launch the ATB (Air Travel Bubble).” The ATB will process one flight per day in each direction with a maximum of 200 passengers for the first two weeks. Passengers departing from Hong Kong must be vaccinated, whereas travelers from both cities are required to have a COVID-19 test within three days of departure and upon arrival. Furthermore, passengers from Singapore and Hong Kong are required to download each other’s contact tracing applications before departure.

The two cities are aiming to restart their respective tourism sectors that are dependent on tourists. Singapore’s tourist board reported that the country’s international arrivals plummeted by 81.2% during the third quarter of 2020. Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines both have a scarcity of rosters for internal routes as well. “Our goal remains striking a right balance between public health and travel convenience so that the public will feel assured while providing certainty.” Hong Kong’s Commerce and Economic Development Secretary Edward Yau declared.