Homecomers At SBP Tanjungpinang Port Have Reached 20 Thousand People

Homecoming flow at the port of Sri Bintan, Pura Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (Kepri). (Ogen)

TANJUNGPINANG - The number of passengers going back and forth between islands through the Port of Sri Bintan Pura (SBP) Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (Kepri) has reached 20 thousand people from D-15 to D-5 Eid Al-Fitr 1443 Hijriah.

"There are around 10,000 arriving passengers and 10,000 departing passengers going back and forth at the SBP Port," said Head of the Tanjungpinang KSOP Traffic and Sea Transportation Section, Simon Bonefasius, as quoted by Antara, Thursday, April 28.

Simon said the number of homecomers would continue to increase ahead of the H-1 Lebaran. Passengers are still dominated by destinations Tanjungpinang-Batam, and Tanjungpinang-Karimun.

The surge in passengers is predicted to occur on April 29-30, 2022, along with joint leave for the State Civil Apparatus (ASN).

His party has prepared dozens of fleets of ships to deal with the surge in inter-island homecoming in the area.

"There will be additional ships if it is needed to anticipate the high increase in passengers," said Simon.

Currently, inter-island travellers in the Riau Islands region do not need to be tested for COVID-19 Antigen as long as they have two doses of vaccine.

Meanwhile, new travelers for the first dose of vaccine still have to be tested for antigen. Meanwhile, travelers who have not been vaccinated at all for certain reasons, must attach a health certificate from a doctor.

"Previously, inter-island passengers were required to have an antigen if there was only two doses of vaccine or no booster vaccine. But now the conditions have been relaxed by the Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad after receiving waivers from the central government," he said.

Simon added that the passenger ship capacity for Tanjungpinang-Batam is 100 percent, because the two areas are included in the green zone for the spread of COVID-19.

He appealed to passengers to remain obedient to health protocols, especially wearing masks while traveling on the ship.