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Netizens call out Govt to lift COVID-19 restrictions first before talking about setting up air travel bubble with Hong Kong

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4 years ago

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The Ministry of Transport (MOT) on Thursday (15 October) announced that Singapore and Hong Kong have reached an “in-principle agreement” to set up air travel bubble between both cities.

For those travelling under the air travel bubble, the Ministry said in its press statement that there will have no restrictions on the purpose of travel and will have no controlled itinerary.

Under the travel bubble, travellers will not be subject to quarantine or stay-home notice requirements, but will need to test negative on mutually recognised COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.

Those travelling under the travel bubble will also be required to go on flights dedicated.

The Ministry however noted that the air travel bubble can be scaled by adjusting the number of dedicated flights upwards or downwards, or even suspended, depending on the latest developments and COVID-19 situation in the two cities.

“With a view to achieving early implementation, both Singapore and Hong Kong are committed to fleshing out the full details of the air travel bubble in the coming weeks,” said MOT, adding that the launch date and other implementation details regarding the air travel bubble will be announced in due course.

Speaking at the media interview, Minister of Transport Ong Ye Kung noted that Singapore and Hong Kong “have low incidence of COVID-19 cases and have put in place robust mechanisms to manage and control COVID-19”.

“This has given us the confidence to mutually and progressively open our borders to each other,” Mr Ong added.

He continued, “It’s a small step, but a significant one, because both Hong Kong and Singapore that are regional Asian hub, and even a global aviation hub, and for two of us to be able to control the pandemic and come together to discuss and establish air travel bubble, hopefully this sets a model and a template for us to forge more of such relationships and partnerships.”

“So, from now on, both sides will enter into formal discussion to conclude this agreement,” Mr Ong told the media.

Upon reading the announcement from the Ministry, netizens seem to disagree with the move of establishing the air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong. Voicing their thoughts in the comment section of Facebook page of CNA, the netizens said that the restriction in the country should be loosen up before moving to the decision of opening the country border to the other countries.

For instance, the restriction on wearing mask as well as the limitation in the size of social gathering, the netizens wrote.

A couple of netizens opined that the Government should consider to open up the Singapore-Johor border, which is now only allowed for cross-border travel under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) schemes.

Other netizens also questioned whether the Government will foot the COVID-19 treatment bill for the citizens who have contracted COVID-19 during the leisure trips.

Currently, travellers from Hong Kong that enter into Singapore need only serve a seven-day of stay-home notice as Singapore has listed Hong Kong as “low risk” places.

As of Thursday (15 October), Singapore has reported three new cases of COVID-19 , with the total number of cases now at 57,892. While according to ECNS, Hong Kong has recorded zero increase in COVID-19 cases on Wednesday (14 October), with the total number of cases stood at 5,201.

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Asia

Up to 200 athletes tested for doping so far at Asian Games

Between 150 and 200 Asian Games athletes tested for doping, yielding no positive results. Anti-doping efforts emphasized for a clean event, focusing on record-breakers.

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1 year ago

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25 September 2023

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HANGZHOU, CHINA — Between 150 and 200 Asian Games athletes have already been tested for doping, the Olympic Council of Asia said on Monday, with no positive results so far.

Speaking at an anti-doping press conference on the second full day of the Games in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, the OCA said dope-testing was “gaining momentum” at the event.

Mani Jegathesan, an adviser to the OCA anti-doping committee, warned that drug cheats would be rooted out.

Up to 200 athletes have been tested so far, he said, but any positive results will take several days to come through.

“Every athlete participating in these Games must understand that they could be picked at any time,” Jegathesan warned.

“That is the best step to ensuring we have a clean event.”

There are about 12,000 athletes at the 19th Asian Games, more competitors than the Olympics, and Jegathesan admitted it would be impossible to test them all.

Instead, they will prioritise, including picking out those who break world or Asian records.

— AFP

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Asia

Foodpanda’s restructuring amid sale speculations

Food delivery giant Foodpanda, a subsidiary of Delivery Hero, announces staff layoffs in the Asia-Pacific region, aiming for increased efficiency. This move coincides with ongoing talks about potentially selling parts of its 11-year-old business.

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1 year ago

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24 September 2023

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Foodpanda, a subsidiary of Delivery Hero, is initiating undisclosed staff reductions in the Asia-Pacific region, as discussions continue regarding the potential sale of a portion of its 11-year-old food delivery business.

In a memorandum circulated to employees on 21 September, Foodpanda CEO Jakob Angele conveyed the company’s intent to become more streamlined, efficient, and agile.

Although the exact number of affected employees was not disclosed, the emphasis was on enhancing operational efficiency for the future.

No mention was made in the memo regarding the reports of Foodpanda’s potential sale in Singapore and six other Southeast Asian markets, possibly to Grab or other interested buyers.

Foodpanda had previously conducted staff layoffs in February and September 2022. These actions come as the company faces mounting pressure to achieve profitability, particularly in challenging economic conditions.

The regulatory filings of Foodpanda’s Singapore entity for the fiscal year 2022, ending on 31 Dec, indicated a loss of S$42.7 million despite generating revenue of S$256.7 million.

Angele further explained that Foodpanda intends to review its organizational structure, including both regional and country teams, with some reporting lines being reassigned to different leaders. Additionally, certain functions will be consolidated into regional teams.

Expressing regret over the challenging decisions, Angele assured affected employees of a severance package, paid gardening leave, and extended medical insurance coverage where feasible.

Foodpanda will also forego the usual waiting period for long-term incentive plan grants, and vesting will continue until the last employment date. Employees will retain all vested shares as of their last day of employment.

Foodpanda, established in 2012 and headquartered in Singapore, became a part of Delivery Hero in 2016. The company operates in 11 markets across the Asia-Pacific region, excluding its exit from the Japanese market last year.

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