Batam-Bintan-Singapore Travel Bubble is in the Trial Stage, Here's What Tourists Need to Know

TRIBUNBATAM.id, BATAM - The Indonesian government officially opened a trial of the Batam-Bintan-Singapore travel bubble scheme on Monday (1/24/2022). 

To note, the travel bubble is a scheme where two or more countries can control the spread of Covid-19 and agree to open tourism gates. 

This scheme allows bordering countries to cooperate in tourism to a designated area. 

The opening of the travel bubble between Indonesia and Singapore has gone through a long preparation. The government first prepares the infrastructure and mechanism for implementing safe health protocols (prokes) for tourism. 

This travel bubble policy was implemented to stimulate tourism and the creative economy in Indonesia, especially in the Riau Islands (Kepri). 

Regional considerations also refer to the status of Batam and Bintan which are already at level 1 of the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).  

Terms of travel bubble traveler

The mechanism for the Batam-Bintan-Singapore travel bubble is explained in the Covid-19 Handling Task Force Circular Letter.

The following are some of the conditions that apply to foreign tourists:

1. Complete vaccines by showing vaccine certificates at least 14 days before departure which has been translated into English.

2. Shows a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result, the sample is taken within 3x24 hours.

3. Have a visa, except for Singaporean foreigners who are part of ASEAN.

4. Have insurance for 30,000 Singapore dollars.

5. Using PeduliLindung and BluePass applications. 

Application of the travel bubble in Riau Islands

The travel bubble trial in Riau Islands implemented strict procedures. Tourists are divided into different groups (bubbles) to separate tourists with a high risk of exposure to Covid-19, from the general public.

The opening of the entrance to Indonesia, based on the circular of the Covid-19 Task Force, is strictly regulated. Overseas travelers (PPLN) travel bubble can only go through Nongsapura, Batam and Telani ferry port, Bintan. 

Every two weeks, the government evaluates the implementation of the travel bubble. This agenda is also carried out to monitor the handling of the pandemic, the implementation of health protocols, and the readiness of supply and demand.

With the travel bubble scheme, people don't have to worry about interacting with foreign tourists. The reason is, if the travel bubble is proven to have caused an increase in Covid-19 in Indonesia, the government will not hesitate to stop the scheme.

(*)/TRIBUNBATAM.id)