With news of the safe travel corridor to Bintan and Batam, does that mean we can travel to these islands soon?
Having been stuck in Singapore for the last year, Singaporean, and perhaps more so, Singaporean families are itching to go on their yearly holidays. While a trip to Japan or Europe may seem impossible in the short term, recent news about a safe travel corridor with the Bintan and Batam islands may see Singaporeans making short overseas trip again!
Bintan and Batam - Safe Travel Corridor
Indonesian's Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno, is pushing for a Safe Travel Corridor with Singapore that will allow Singaporeans to travel to these islands for tourism purposes, and not vice versa.
The islands are already running mass vaccination of over 30,000 tourism workers at Bintan and Batam, and aims to complete this in April, in order to open the Safe Travel Corridor.
Restrictions in place
According to the report, Indonesia might activate direct routes from Singapore's ferry terminal to Nongsapura ferry terminal in Batam and Bandar Bintan Telani ferry terminal in Bintan.
However, travelers to these islands must show a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival, and get tested by a Covid-19 breath tester. Movement will also be tracked by an App, similar to the TraceTogether App that we have.
But don't get too excited yet, while this information was made on the Indonesian Minister's Facebook page, it doesn't mean that diplomatic talks have resumed.
When can it be expected?
The Indonesian authorities are certainly keen to open, and have even proposed a tentative date on 21 Apr 2021. They are doing all they can to ensure that the island can reopen safely, and we may hear more news in the coming weeks.
What do you feel about this news? Will you be rushing to the islands or not?
