Singapore has announced the removal of quarantine for arriving Hong Kong travellers. But returning to Hong Kong still requires 14 or 21 days mandatory hotel quarantine. Will you be booking your flight tickets?
Sorry to burst your travel bubble, but Hong Kong has shut discussions on quarantine-free travel to Singapore for good. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all doom and gloom for Hong Kong’s travel industry. The good news is that Singapore has announced it will remove the quarantine requirements for arriving Hong Kong travellers, even though Hong Kong is not making reciprocal arrangements.
Everything you need to know about Singapore’s new travel rules for Hong Kong
Although discussions of quarantine-free travel arrangements between Singapore and Hong Kong kicked off in late-2020, things are now headed in a different direction. Starting from 20 August, Hong Kongers arriving in Singapore don’t have to undergo quarantine, whether or not they’re vaccinated. Having said that, for those inoculated, a tamper-proof vaccination sticker will be issued by Singaporean immigration, which will enable greater access to more leisure activities.
As hopeful as the beginning bit sounds, for those returning from Singapore, Hong Kong still requires a mandatory hotel quarantine. As of now, Singapore is categorised as “medium-risk” by the Hong Kong government. This means vaccinated arrivals in Hong Hong must undergo a 14-day quarantine, and unvaccinated arrivals must complete a 21-day quarantine.
Visitors from Hong Kong and Macao can arrive at the Lion City as early as 26 August.
What are the prerequisites?
Visitors need to have spent the last 21 consecutive days in Hong Kong or Macao before travelling to Singapore. Additionally, non-Singapore citizens are required to to purchase COVID-19 insurance.
With a PCR-test upon arrival at Changi International Airport, arrivals are expected to self-isolate until a negative test result is confirmed. There will also be a pre-departure PCR test at Hong Kong International Airport and subsequent tests on the third and seventh days of their stay in the Garden City.
What do Hong Kongers think of this new travel arrangement?
We conducted a poll on our Instagram to ask our readers and followers about their travel plans. So far, it’s a 50-50 split. Avid travel bugs in Hong Kong can finally start packing their suitcases to explore the colourful streets and vibrant culture of Singapura. But on the other hand, many Hong Kongers aren’t interested in scrambling to find a quarantine hotel given that reservations can be limited in number and can also be pricey. What are your thoughts? Feel free to casually slide into our DMs with your travel plans (we love to live vicariously)!
Want to know all the ins and outs of Singapore? Check out Honeycombers Singapore for insider guides on where to dine, shop, and explore!