TEMPO.CO, Batam - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno ensured that the travel bubble of Batam Bintan-Singapore would be opened soon. President Joko Widodo has approved the opening of the limited public traffic between Indonesia and Singapore.

“The opening will take place on January 24, 2022, along with an official announcement from the government,” said Sandiaga during a visit to the Batam Tourism Polytechnic or BTP Tiban campus, Batam City, Friday, January 21.

According to him, the official announcement will be delivered by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartato, who is also the Chairman of the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN).

He also explained technical regulations on the flow of tourist arrivals and returns will continue to be finalized with ministries and related parties, including negotiating with the Singaporean authorities. Two areas that will become prototypes of a limited and controlled travel bubble are Nongsa in Batam and Bintan Island.

The technical preparations ahead of the travel corridor opening include the provision of a molecular rapid test laboratory that is integrated with the PeduliLindungi application. “I’m sure Nongsa and Bintan have prepared everything, including the application of blue pass for tracing purposes,” said Sandiaga Uno.

Read: Travel Bubble Policy Spot-On, Beneficial, On-Time: Sandiaga Uno

YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA