Foreign Citizens Can Start Visiting Batam In November 2020

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Foreign nationals (WNA) can begin to enter through the Batam Center International Port in early November 2020, after obtaining approval, according to the Indonesia-Singapore travel corridor arrangement (TCA) agreement.

"The possibility for the 'safe travel pass' is approved, starting on November 1 or 2," said the Acting Mayor of Batam, Syamsul Bahrum as quoted by Antara, Monday, October 26.

According to the agreement between the two countries, starting today, Monday 26 October, citizens who wish to cross to Batam or Singapore can apply for a trip online.

If approved, residents who are deemed entitled to receive these facilities, namely actors of important business trips, diplomatic trips and urgent official trips, can only sail at the beginning of next month, after confirming they are negative for COVID-19.

Because the traveler who is entitled to have a test for the COVID-19 swab, three days before making the voyage, said Syamsul.

In accordance with the agreement, the traveler who is entitled to ensure that he is not exposed to the corona virus, with two swab tests, namely 72 hours before the trip, and upon arrival in Singapore. Vice versa.

The specialty of the TCA policy is that travelers do not need to undergo 14 days of self-quarantine upon arrival in Singapore. That way, they can immediately move.

"The most important thing is that the swab is approved by two parties, Singapore and Indonesia," he said.

He reminded that to be able to sail to Singapore, citizens must have a sponsor in Singapore. Vice versa.

"The sponsor must pick up," he said.

Eligible travelers must also have an adhered to the itinerary.

"They can't go outside schedule. They will be 'tracked'," he said.