Shawn Tan
Image credit: CHUTTERSNAP
Singaporeans looking for an island getaway no longer need to island-hop at Pulau Ubin and the Southern Islands. The Singapore and Indonesia governments are currently in talks to establish a “safe travel corridor” between Singapore, Batam and Bintan. The news comes after the Indonesian tourism and creative economy minister Sandiaga Uno announced on 20 March, Sunday, that preparations will be kickstarted from 21 April, with Nongsa in Batam and Lagoi in Bintan earmarked for opening. The two locations are selected as they are popular resort destinations with Singaporeans.
For Singapore tourists only
While the proposed Singapore, Batam and Bintan travel corridor is good news for both nations, the Indonesian minister is keen to stress that the arrangement is currently only for Singaporean visitors looking to holiday at Batam and Bintan only. This one-sided travel corridor is not for Indonesians keen to visit Singapore.
“We are not including Indonesian citizens going to Singapore (via the safe travel corridor) because we want people from Singapore to come to Indonesia,” said minister Uno. “That is what the tourism and creative economy ministry is focused on, how tourists can come here, not for (Indonesian) tourists to go abroad.”
Safety precautions in place
As part of the Singapore, Batam and Bintan travel corridor, three spots in Batam and two in Bintan have been identified as being safe for Singapore tourists to visit. These areas have been sealed to ensure that traffic is controlled. To enter these zones, visitors are expected to have a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result and will also have to take a COVID-19 breath test detector, known locally as GeNose, upon arrival. “There will also be an application where we can not only trace, but also track the movement of tourists,” said minister Uno.
Domestic tourists who have been vaccinated and show a negative COVID-19 test result may also be allowed to enter the premises. “As long as they are in the bubble, Indonesian citizens who are there must have been vaccinated, and go through routine testing both at admission (to the premises) and also periodically.”
Also read: Bali Will Reopen Borders to International Tourists by June If Vaccinations Are Consistent
With Singapore roughly only an hour’s ferry ride from both Batam and Bintan, opening a safe travel corridor would allow us to finally get away from our shores for a quick respite. Here’s hoping that the pandemic situation in both neighbours allow for smooth talks and eventual reopening of borders.
