JAKARTA - The Indonesia-Singapore border will be opened with limitations. Fresh air for the tourism sector will be breathed by the government, which has indeed made a thousand steps to open limited borders with safe travel corridors using the "travel bubble".
The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, stated that the limited opening of borders with safe travel corridors began at the celebration of Kartini Day.
"On April 21, 2021," Sandiaga said, as quoted from Antara, Tuesday, March 23.
Sandi stated that there were two locations planned as "bubbles" in the safe passage corridor in the Riau Islands, namely Nongsa in Batam City and Lagoi in Bintan Regency.
Both are exclusive tourist areas, which are located relatively far from community settlements, making it more feasible.
The statement of the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, is like a sweet song for Riau Islands business actors who almost "died" due to border closures, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But of course, the singing must not be discouraging. The designated Riau Island tourism destination must prepare itself. Don't let this policy backfire on the health of the citizens of the two neighboring countries.
Sandi reminded that business actors would not be trapped by excessive euphoria. Don't let this policy actually increase the number of COVID-19 transmissions.
Lagoi
General Manager of PT. Bintan Resort Cakrawala, which manages Bintan Resort Lagoi, Abdul Wahab, emphasized that his party will ensure that health protocols are enforced in the Lagoi area.
In his presentation to Minister Sandiaga in Batam, Saturday, March 20, Wahab explained, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) believes Bintan Resort has the opportunity to implement the "safe travel bubble" concept with Singapore.
EDB assesses that all protocols and supporting facilities for the "safe travel bubble" at Bintan Resort meet the requirements so that it becomes the most ready-to-open tourist destination in the territory of Indonesia.
"Bintan Resorts hopes that the Indonesian government as a regulator can help communicate with the Singapore government for the implementation of the 'safe travel bubble'," he said.
His party has made various preparations, including equipping the area with a laboratory, complete with its own PCR test kit.
In fact, his party chose to work with parties collaborating with Singapore, in order to ensure that the laboratory at Bintan Resorts is accurate.
Bintan Resorts has also purchased eight units of GeNose C19, to complement the use of PCR for travelers and workers in tourism areas.
On that occasion, he expressed his hope that the Indonesian and Singaporean governments would agree to have enough PCR examinations twice, namely in Singapore before arrival to Bintan with a validity period of 72 hours and at Bintan Resorts before returning to Singapore.
The examination is important, in order to ensure that all travelers from Singapore are free of the Corona Virus when they are about to visit, and return to Singapore also in good health, not exposed to COVID-19.
"However, visitors are required to do the GeNose test, like a substitute for the PCR test when they arrive at the port," he said.
Test for travelers from land routes
In addition to inspections for visitors entering the sea route, GeNose is also carried out as a test kit for travelers coming from the road, as well as for workers.
The plan, of the eight GeNose C19, three of which are placed at the land gate, three at the sea gate, and the rest for the needs of workers.
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Not only a strict health check, but his party also carried out tracking and tracing COVID-19 to workers and travelers there.
Every worker on duty is equipped with a "blue pass" tool to track possible exposure to the Corona Virus. The tool developed by the National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) team can map the close contacts of each user.
With this tool, if someone is found to be positive for COVID-19, it can be immediately traced by the parties who are in close contact within a distance of fewer than two meters and in more than 15 minutes.
In addition, when arriving at the ferry terminal in Bintan, travelers will also be equipped with a QR Code. With this application, officers can detect the presence of tourists.
"Using a cellphone using a QR Code can detect where the guest is," he said.
The tool is to ensure travelers will only spend time in the area. In accordance with the safe travel bubble agreement.
Meanwhile, to comply with the rules of guarding distance, from all resorts and hotels in the area, his party will open only four.
"There are 900 rooms we are allowed to open 50 percent. But we open 25 percent of all," he said.
Nongsa
Similar to Lagoi, a tourist area in Nongsa, Nongsa Sensation is also preparing to welcome limited border reopening.
A representative from Nongsa Sensation, Andi Fong, said that in the area there are four resorts and three golf courses which are expected to be opened to foreign tourists soon.
The number of tourist visits to Batam, he said, is the second-highest in Indonesia. And among the tourist areas in the island city, according to him, the most active one is Nongsa.
"Therefore we beg not to forget. We carry out all health protocols," he said.
As an initial stage of supporting limited border opening, thousands of tourism workers in Nongsa have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
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