Australia working on travel bubble with S’pore

SYDNEY: Australia is “working with Singapore” to create a travel bubble between the two nations as early as July, officials said yesterday, in an effort to restart tourism and travel put on hold by Covid-19.

Early in the pandemic, Australia effectively closed its border to slow the spread of the coronavirus, with non-citizens banned from visiting, except in special circumstances.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said Australia was “working with Singapore at the moment potentially for a bubble (beginning) in July”.

“As the vaccine rolls out, not only in Australia but in other countries, we will reopen more bubbles,” he told public broadcaster ABC.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the deal would allow Singaporeans and Australians who had been vaccinated to travel between the countries without quarantining.

The newspaper said Canberra was hoping that people from third countries, such as international students, business travellers and returning citizens, could complete two weeks’ quarantine in Singapore before flying to Australia.

But Singapore, which has opened its border to a handful of countries that have controlled the virus, including Australia, said it was “not in discussion on the concept of a quarantine centre or vaccination hub”.

“Singapore is in discussions with Australia on the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and resumption of travel with priority for students and business travellers,” the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

“We are also discussing the possibility of an air travel bubble that will allow residents of Singapore and Australia to travel between both countries without the need for quarantine.”