TANJUNGPINANG - The Riau Islands Province COVID-19 Handling Task Force stated that foreign tourists visiting Bintan Island, namely Tanjungpinang City and Bintan Regency, and Batam City are still required to take the PCR swab test when arriving at international ports.
Secretary of the Riau Islands COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Muhamad Darwin, said that the policy for foreign tourists visiting Bintan Island and Batam did not use the travel bubble scheme or travel bubbles in integrated tourism areas.
The latest policy of the central government is to give freedom to foreign tourists, but still follow the health protocol procedures.
According to him, all foreign tourists are required to do a swab test using the PCR method after arriving at the international port, but they can wait for the test results in the hotel room.
After three days, foreign tourists can get a PCR test again, the results of which can be used as a condition for returning to their country or traveling to other regions in Indonesia.
"This requirement has not been revoked, although it is stricter than the Singapore government, which has not implemented the PCR swab test. Singapore only applies an independent antigen test without quarantine," he said in Tanjungpinang, Antara, Wednesday, March 23.
Regarding the plan to open a number of international ports on Bintan Island and Batam, Darwin said the schedule for opening ports was adjusted to the Malaysian government's policy, which began to open access for its citizens who want to travel abroad such as Indonesia starting April 1, 2022.
The central government opens access for tourists from 25 countries, including ASEAN countries, such as Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam to travel in Bali, Bintan Island and Batam.
"So, the opening of international ports on Bintan Island and Batam is not only welcoming the arrival of tourists from Malaysia, but also other countries," he said.
The 25 countries that get visa-free facilities are Cambodia, United States of America, Saudi Arabia, China, Australia, Netherlands, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, India, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico ,Myanmar, France, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan.
Eight international-scale ports on Bintan Island and Batam City were opened, namely Nongsa Port, Marine Terminal, Batam Center International Port, Sekupang International Port, Citra Tri Tunas Port, Marina Bay Senimba Port. Then Port of Bandar Bentan Telani, Port of Bandar Seri Udana Lobam, and International Port of Sri Bintan Pura, Tanjungpinang.
Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad is also still lobbying the central government so that Karimun Regency and Anambas Islands Regency can receive foreign tourists.
"We are trying to make Karimun and Anambas also the entrance for foreign tourists," said Ansar.
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