21/11/2020 06:13 PM
By Massita Ahmad
SINGAPORE, Nov 21 -- The Singapore - Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble (ATB) arrangement scheduled for launch tomorrow has now been deferred by two weeks, according to the republic’s Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung.
“Given the evolving situation in Hong Kong, Secretary (for Commerce and Economic Development) Edward Yau and I discussed further this afternoon, and decided that it would be better to defer the launch of the ATB, by two weeks,” said Ong in his official Facebook page today.
“We will review within two weeks on the new launch date and update again,” he said.
As of Friday, Hong Kong reported 26 confirmed cases, of which 21 were local, thus, bringing the total infection tally to 5,517 and 108 deaths.
“I can fully understand the disappointment and frustration of travellers who have planned their trips. But we think it is better to defer from a public health standpoint,” said Ong.
The minister noted that the airlines will be contacting the travellers individually.
“This is a sober reminder that the COVID-19 virus is still with us, and even as we fight to regain our normal lives, the journey will be full of ups and downs. But we will press on and look forward to when we can safely launch the ATB,” he said.
Earlier in the morning, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore announced that the ATB will be launched as scheduled, with arriving passengers subject to an on-arrival test as a further precaution.
-- BERNAMA
