TEMPO.CO, Batam - Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad said tourists from Singapore will no longer need to undergo PCR tests upon arrival on the island. He made the statement during a visit to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) office in Jakarta, Tuesday, April 5.

However, tourists are still required to take an antigen test. Ansar said the rapid antigen test for Singaporean tourists will be applied at all international entrances in the islands.

“This is indeed good news so that Singaporean tourists are more interested in traveling to the Riau Islands,” he opined.

According to Ansar, the decision is taken since Singapore only requires a rapid antigen test for tourists entering the country.

After the government issues the policy, he claimed his side will also issue a similar regulation as a derivative rule in order to immediately ease Singaporean tourists to visit the islands and revive regional tourism.

“We want the rules for foreign tourists to enter Riau Islands to be relaxed, such as no PCR or only antigen test. This is a new government policy,” Ansar remarked.

To optimize the entrance of travelers from Singapore, Ansar also asked the government to open the sea route to and from Singapore and Malaysia at the Tanjungbalai Karimun international port immediately.

Read: Singaporeans Now Free to Visit Batam, Bintan

YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA