Riau Islands Governor: Riau Islands-Singapore Travel Bubble Canceled Due To COVID-19

TANJUNGPINANG - Governor of Riau Islands (Kepri) Ansar Ahmad said the central government's plan to open a travel bubble between Indonesia, particularly Riau Islands, and Singapore was canceled in October, following an increase in COVID-19 cases in the neighboring country.

"The spread of COVID-19 in Singapore is still high," said Governor Ansar Ahmad in Tanjungpinang, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, October 6.

The Riau Islands provincial government is forced to make efforts so that domestic tourists can come to the local area, he said, while waiting for the central government's decision regarding the opening of the Riau Islands-Singapore foreign tourist door.

According to him, the efforts made were to write to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to provide travel dispensation for people between regions, no longer need to use PCR swab tests, but only antigen swab tests.

"This aims to attract domestic tourists to come to Riau Islands, without the need to incur expensive costs for the purposes of the COVID-19 PCR swab test," he said.

Governor Ansar Ahmad said that currently tourist attractions in the region had started operating as the Riau Islands PPKM dropped to Level 1.

He also ensured that tourist attractions, such as Lagoi in Bintan Regency, had prepared health protocols according to WHO standards to ensure that visitors who came were safe and free from COVID-19.

"We support the Lagoi tourist area to target local tourists. Hopefully the Riau Islands-Singapore travel bubble will be realized soon to support the recovery of the tourism sector as well as the regional economy," said Governor Ansar Ahmad.

The Golkar politician also urged the public to remain disciplined in health protocols despite the status of PPKM level one.

"Follow the prokes to prevent the potential third wave of the spread of COVID-19," said Ansar.