Governor Ensures Tourists From Singapore To Riau Islands Don't Need PCR Tests

Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad visited the Office of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in Jakarta, Tuesday (5/4). (ANTARA/HO-Public Relations of Riau Islands Provincial Government)

TANJUNGPINANG - Riau Islands (Kepri) Governor Ansar Ahmad ensured that tourists from Singapore who wanted to vacation in Riau Islands no longer needed to do a COVID-19 PCR test at the port entrance.

Governor Ansar received this confirmation after a visit to the office of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in Jakarta, Tuesday, April 5.

"BNPB will soon issue a circular that regulates the entry requirements for tourists from Singapore specifically to Riau Islands," Governor Ansar said as quoted by Antara.

According to Ansar, although tourists from Singapore no longer need to do a PCR test, the obligation to carry out an antigen test still applies.

The application of only the Antigen test for Singaporean tourists will apply at all international entrances in Riau Islands.

"This is certainly good news so that Singaporean tourists are more interested in vacationing in Riau Islands, because the conditions make it easier for them," said Ansar.

He conveyed the reason that the PCR test was not necessary and only needed an antigen test for Singaporean tourists, because neighboring countries also only required an antigen test for tourists entering the country.

After the circular from the Head of BNPB which regulates the entry of Singaporean tourists to Riau Islands has been issued. Ansar admitted that he would also issue a similar circular so that Singaporean tourists can immediately vacation in Riau Islands, with ease and revive tourism in the area after two years of being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Efforts to restore the glory of the tourism world in Riau Islands as the second largest contributor to foreign tourist visits in Indonesia continue to be rushed.

Efforts to coordinate, communicate, consult with regard to regulatory policies are intensively carried out.

"We want the rules for foreign tourists to enter the Riau Islands to be simplified. With no need for PCR or only enough antigens for foreign tourists coming to Riau Islands, this is the government's new policy to support tourism in Riau Islands," said Ansar.