[ad_1]
JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said on Saturday (March 20) 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 start on April 21, especially for Nongsa in Batam and Lagoi in Bintan which, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, were destinations frequented by Singapore residents.
One said there is a direct route connecting the Singapore ferry terminal with the Nongsapura ferry terminal in Batam, as well as the Bandar Bintan Telani ferry terminal in Bintan.
“I tested all the routes and we can prepare this immediately for the opening of the safe travel corridor with Singapore,” said Mr. Uno.
Foreign tourists wishing to enter the two areas are expected to have a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result and will need to bring a COVID-19 breath test detector, known locally as GeNose, to their arrival.
“There will also be an application where we can not only track, but also track the movement of tourists,” Uno added.
READ: With no Singapore tourists, Bintan resorts get creative to make ends meet amid COVID-19
On Saturday separately, Mr. Uno observed the vaccination of tourism workers in Batam.
He hopes that by vaccinating workers and residents in Nongsa, Batam and Lagoi, Bintan, the “safe travel corridor” can be implemented.
“Today in Batam there are 1,500 tourism workers who were vaccinated in Batam and more than 2,000 people in Bintan. The goal is 30,000 that we must vaccinate before April for the safe travel corridor.
“Let’s spread the good news to Singapore and Malaysia, to plan their Batam and Bintan vacations,” the minister said.
The CNA has requested comments from the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
