Discussions on opening air travel between South Korea and Singapore

SEOUL: JUNE 9 – Authorities in South Korea and Singapore have begun talks on launching an air service in July. South Korean officials say they have discussed the possibility of direct flights between the two countries without having to stay in quarantine. But anyone who wants to travel by air must be vaccinated.

Health officials say Korea has sent proposals to launch similar flights to Taiwan, Thailand and the US Pacific region of Guam and Saipan. These countries have also eased restrictions on Corona Virus epidemics, leading to the resumption of flights. South Korea currently has a two-week mandatory quarantine for most foreign travelers.

Yoon Taeho, a senior health official in South Korea, said the travel agency would initially be allowed to enter and vaccinate passengers coming from direct flights, but would be given the responsibility to monitor them. He also said that passengers who do not want to stay in quarantine should submit proof of vaccination and the test of COVID-19 should be negative.

But he also said that flights to countries with Corona Virus infections would not start immediately. A large number of COVID-19 infections have been reported in Thailand in recent weeks, with more than 2,000 infected people being found daily. COVID-19 infections have also been reported in some areas in Singapore and Taiwan.

As of Wednesday, about 9.2 million South Koreans had received at least one dose of the vaccine. This number is about 18 percent of the total population. -AP