Singapore and Hong Kong will offer quarantine-free travel between the two cities starting May 26. Hong Kong was successful in putting the COVID-19 situation under control and according to Singapore’s transport minister Ong Ye Kung, the conditions are “now ripe again to re-launch the ATB (Air Travel Bubble).” For the first two weeks, ATB will process only one flight with a limit of 200 passengers a day in each direction. Those departing from Hong Kong are required to be vaccinated, and travelers from both cities must take a COVID-19 test within three days of departure and again upon arrival. People from each city must also download each other’s contact-tracing mobile applications before their departure.

Both cities aim to restart their tourism departments that are dependent on visitors. Based on a report by Singapore’s tourism board, the country’s international arrivals dropped by 81.2% in the third quarter of the previous year. Moreover, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines experienced a shortage of lists for internal routes. “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 said.