Hong Kong-Singapore 'travel bubble' postponed amid Covid-19 spike
A spike in coronavirus infections in Hong Kong saw the arrangement postponed for two weeks
The highly-anticipated Hong Kong and Singapore "air travel bubble" was postponed Saturday - less than 24 hours before it was due to launch.
The bubble would have allowed quarantine-free, air travel between the two Asian hubs, reports the BBC.
But a spike in coronavirus infections in Hong Kong saw the arrangement postponed for two weeks. Edward Yau, Hong Kong's secretary for commerce and economic development made the announcement at a press conference Saturday.
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Hong Kong reported 43 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, the highest daily spike in over three months. Among them, 36 were locally transmitted -- including 13 that are untraceable.
The quarantine-free corridor was meant to boost tourism and business travel between the two Asian hubs, which have largely contained their coronavirus outbreak. Hong Kong has recorded 5,561 Covid-19 cases, including 108 deaths, since the outbreak began, while Singapore has reported 58,000 infections and 28 deaths.
Quarantine-free travel would have been a big deal for both destinations, where strict arrival regulations have been in place for months.
When the coronavirus pandemic hit, both governments shut borders and denied entry to most non-residents and short-term visitors. In Hong Kong, returning residents are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine and wear an electronic bracelet to track their location.
