TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Destinations in Lagoi, Bintan, and Nongsa, Batam of the Riau Islands are ready to welcome foreign tourists. The province’s Head of Tourism Agency, Buralimar, was optimistic that the tourism reopening will be safe given declining COVID-19 cases and increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the region.

“COVID-19 case numbers have dropped significantly. Two days ago in Batam, there were no additional cases,” said Buralimar in Batam, Tuesday, September 21.

According to him, 79 percent of the vaccination target had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 45 percent had been fully vaccinated.

Various accommodation services, such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tourist sites, had obtained the Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability (CHSE) certificate from the Tourism Ministry. In Lagoi, for example, the managers have prepared a blue pass as a COVID-19 tracking and barcode access.

“We offer the reopening of tourism for management who are ready and their employees have received vaccines,” said Buralimar. “But they must still be disciplined in applying the health protocols.”

Buralimar added that managers of tourist destinations also had the procedure if guests or tourists are confirmed positive for the disease. “They can undergo quarantine at the resorts in Lagoi and Nongsa because the area is also a quarantine site.”

The central government and the Riau Islands Provincial Government had repeatedly met with the Singaporean government to discuss preparations for a limited border opening or the travel bubble. “The government is now drafting a memorandum of understanding to relax travel restrictions,” he said.

Read: Batam, Bintan to Be Reopened for Singaporean Tourists Next Month

ANTARA