JAKARTA: Indonesian tourism and creative economy minister Sandiaga Uno mentioned on Saturday that preparations can begin for a “safe travel corridor” between Singapore, Batam Nongsa, and Bintan Lagoi.
In a meeting with officials in Batam, the minister proposed that the travel corridor starts on Apr 21, especially for Nongsa in Batam and Lagoi in Bintan which, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, were destinations frequented by Singapore residents.
Mr. Uno mentioned there’s a direct route that connects Singapore’s ferry terminal with the Nongsapura ferry terminal in Batam as well as Bandar Bintan Telani ferry terminal in Bintan.
“I’ve tried all the routes and we can immediately prepare this for the opening of the safe travel corridor with Singapore,” mentioned Mr. Uno.
Foreign tourists who want to enter the two areas are expected to have a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result and will have to take a COVID-19 breath test detector, known locally as GeNose, upon arrival.
“There will also be a utility where we cannot only trace but also track the movement of tourists,” Mr Uno added.
Individually on Saturday, Mr Uno observed the vaccination of tourism staff in Batam.
He hopes that by vaccinating staff and residents in Nongsa, Batam and Lagoi, Bintan, the ‘safe travel corridor’ can be implemented.
“At present in Batam, there is 1,500 tourism staff who got vaccinated in Batam and more than 2,000 individuals in Bintan. The target is 30,000 which we must vaccinate before April for the safe travel corridor.
“Let’s spread the good news to Singapore and Malaysia, so they plan their holiday to Batam and Bintan,” mentioned the minister.
