Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg

The departure flight of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris from Singapore on Aug. 24 has been delayed for some time.

A Mothership reporter on-site understands that she was supposed to depart at around 3pm to 4pm. However, Harris had yet to leave Singapore almost two hours later.

According to Bloomberg, reporters traveling with the vice president were suddenly sent back to the Shangri-La hotel after 3:30pm, after having already boarded vehicles for the planned departure from Paya Lebar Air Base.

Harris speech on China's claims in South China Sea

Earlier on Aug. 24, Harris gave a speech at the Gardens by the Bay.

She said that China continues to "intimidate" and "make claims to the vast majority" of the South China Sea.

Harris also said that the U.S. stands with its allies and partners in the region.

Harris is supposed to travel to Vietnam for the next leg of her journey. She is going to Hanoi for three days.

Vietnam lockdown

Vietnam has recently imposed a strict lockdown in Ho Chi Minh city to contain a Covid-19 outbreak.

Soldiers were deployed to the streets to enforce the lockdown, according to Reuters. Residents are not allowed to leave their homes, even to buy food.

On Monday (Aug. 23), Vietnam's health ministry reported 10,266 new Covid-19 infections and 389 deaths. Most of the cases were detected in Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding industrial areas.

Meanwhile, Hanoi has come under heavy restrictions since July 14, and extended until at least Aug. 22.

Top image adapted via Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Follow and listen to our podcast here