Hong Kong exodus pushes Singapore’s monthly foreign visitor arrivals from city to 2-year high

The number of foreigners entering Singapore from Hong Kong was 1,790 in February, almost double January’s figure, and the highest since April 2020

Hong Kong’s chaotic handling of pandemic has led to many seeking boltholes to escape mass testing and family separation when children test positive for Covid-19

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People walk along the link bridge to a terminal at Changi International Airport in Singapore. Photo/ AFP

Published: 1:00pm, 11 Mar 2022Updated: 1:29pm, 11 Mar 2022

The number of foreigners entering Singapore from Hong Kong almost doubled from January to last month, according to latest figures from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), reinforcing reports of people fleeing the city for its rival financial hub.

Singapore is among several destinations that have become a convenient bolthole for those seeking to ride out Hong Kong’s chaotic handling of the pandemic. Last month, there was a net outflow of 71,000 people from Hong Kong.

The 1,790 foreigners arriving into Singapore from Hong Kong last month is still a far cry from pre-pandemic numbers – there were 44,954 such visitors in December 2019 – but it is a two-year high. It is the first time the number, that does not include Singaporeans, permanent residents and transit arrivals, crossed four digits since April 2020 after Singapore shut its borders to travellers at the end of March that year.

International visitors from Hong Kong to Singapore

STB data showed visitors from Hong Kong this year were staying an average of 19.6 days compared to the 3.11 days in pre-pandemic 2019. On social media, Hong Kong residents have been sharing tips and advice on how to maximise their visas for Singapore and what sort of accommodation would be more affordable for longer stays.

The rise in visitors from Hong Kong comes amid Singapore’s relaxation of travel rules for many places. Singapore added Hong Kong to its list of vaccinated travel lane destinations (VTL) from February 25, allowing all double-jabbed travellers to use a negative antigen rapid test (ART) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result to enter the country. They will also need to take a supervised ART within 24 hours of arrival. Previously, their only option was to undergo the more costly PCR test before and after their arrival.

The exodus from Hong Kong has been driven by anxiety over a mass testing drive for 7.4 million residents that could include a lockdown, the threat of family separation if young children test positive and the requirement that even those who are asymptomatic and vaccinated must enter government isolation once they test positive.

Empty shelves are seen in a supermarket at Sai Wan Ho under the rumour of the citywide lockdown to be imposed amid the fifth wave of coronavirus outbreak. Sam Tsang

Schools have cancelled in-person classes for students until April 17, and coupled with panic buying that has left supermarket shelves bare, both families and individuals have decided to pack up and leave – even for the short term. They will face hotel quarantine upon returning – the requirement is currently for a 14-day stay.