TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad on Tuesday enthusiastically welcomed the central government’s latest policy upon lifting the outdoor face mask mandate and the loosened travel restrictions. He believes these policies will have a positive effect on the region he leads in terms of tourism.

“We have pitched the idea of a relaxed restriction to President Joko Widodo, and his decision meets our expectations,” said Ansar at Tanjungpinang on Tuesday evening on May 17. “I am certain more international tourists will be interested in visiting the Riau Islands.”

As of today, international and domestic tourists who have been fully vaccinated are no longer subjected to PCR or antigen tests on arrival.

Previously, the Indonesian central government has opened the gates for visitors from Singapore to the Riau Islands under a bilateral travel bubble. However, there were a number of Covid-19 restrictions on Batam and Bintan that he feared would greatly restrict tourist movement in the islands.

"I believe the new policy will increase the interest of foreign tourists to visit. Moreover, there is a bonus in the form of the mask-free policy in outdoor spaces, as long as there are no crowds," said the governor.

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YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA