The initial agreement covers travel between Singapore and Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
The announcement follows the second China-Singapore joint meeting on Covid-19, which was held via video conference on Thursday and led by Permanent Secretary Chee Wee Kiong of Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and China’s Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui.
“Both sides agreed to explore the possibility of increasing air connectivity between the two countries under the Fast Lane framework,” the statement said.
The agreement comes as countries cautiously attempt to trigger so-called “travel bubbles” after the pandemic closed their borders earlier this 12 months.
China, where the coronavirus first emerged, appears to have gotten cases under control, while Singapore is moving towards opening its economy after struggling to contain an outbreak amongst 1000’s of foreign employees.
Singapore ministers have previously said the Southeast Asian nation will likely “start small and selective” in border reopenings, continuing to impose a mixture of isolation and testing requirements.
Singapore is able to cooperate bilaterally with countries and regions if sufficient precautions are taken, similar to pre-departure and post-arrival testing, said Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong.
Singapore’s economy could reopen before expected: minister
Singapore’s economy could reopen before expected: minister
Wong said the federal government wants “travel bubbles” connecting Singapore with countries where “the virus situation is under control”.
Similar plans are being discussed in other countries similar to Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, which appear to have contained the spread of the virus.
According to Times of the Straitrepresentatives of education, trade and industry, customs, immigration, transport and health from each countries also participated within the joint meeting. They discussed enhanced cooperation and issues similar to the importance of securing production and provide chains and facilitating the free movement of products similar to medical supplies and food.
Chinese tourists, travel bubbles: how Asia can revive its tourism industry
Chinese tourists, travel bubbles: how Asia can revive its tourism industry
On Friday, Singapore’s health ministry confirmed 611 latest cases of coronavirus infection, bringing the state’s infection tally to 33,860.
It said 99 percent of latest cases were linked to existing clusters, and 19,631 patients had fully recovered and been discharged from hospitals or community care centers.
Additional reporting by Reuters and dpa
This article appeared within the print edition of the South China Morning Post as: Singapore and China will reopen Essential Tlinks
