Gov’t Issues Circular on Batam Bintan-Singapore Travel Bubble

The COVID-19 Task Force Friday (01/21) issued Circular Number 3 of 2022 on Health Protocols for International Travel with the Travel Bubble Mechanism in Batam, Bintan, and Singapore Areas amid COVID-19 Pandemic that shall be effective starting January 24, 2021 until further notice.

The Circular, which is signed by Head of the COVID-19 Task Force Suharyanto, aims to monitor, control, and evaluate measures to prevent a spike in the transmission of COVID-19, including new as well as the future variant of the SARS-CoV-2.

Under the Circular, every party involved in the travel bubble mechanism in the area of Batam and Bintan with Singapore must strictly adhere to health protocols and abide by the policies set by the Indonesian Government.

“International travelers with the travel bubble mechanism in the area of Batam and Bintan with Singapore are Indonesian citizens (WNI) and foreign nationals (WNA) travelers who will carry out tourism activities in the area of Bintan and Batam, originating from Singapore and have resided in Singapore for a minimum of 14 days,” the Circular reads.

For the record, the “travel bubble” is a travel corridor system which aims to divide travelers into different groups (bubbles) by separating travelers or the one who has a risk of being contracted to COVID-19 (either from history of contact or history of traveling to areas where community transmission has occurred) from the general public, accompanied by restrictions on interaction only to people in the same group (bubble) and the implementation of quarantine principles to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.

The provisions stipulated in the Circular are as follows:

1. International travelers with travel bubble mechanism enter the area of Batam and Bintan through the following entrances:                                                                                                                                                                                              a. Nongsapura International Ferry Terminal to enter the Nongsa Sensation travel bubble area, Batam; and          b. Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal to enter the travel bubble area of Lagoi Bintan Resort, Bintan.
2. Upon arrival at the entrance to the Batam and Bintan travel bubble areas, all international travelers with the travel bubble mechanism must comply with the following conditions:
   1. Show a card or certificate (physical or digital) stating that one has received the full dose of COVID-19 vaccination at least fourteen days before departure written in English other than the language of the country/region of origin of arrival, and verified on the website of Ministry of Health of Republic of Indonesia or e-HAC International Indonesia;
   2. Show negative results through RT-PCR examination in the country/region of origin whose samples are taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours before departure and are attached at the time of the health examination or Indonesian International e-HAC;
   3. Show a tourist visa or other entry permit in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations, except for Singaporean national travelers;
   4. Show proof of booking confirmation and payment for travel packages of travel bubble in the Lagoi Bintan Resort or Nongsa Sensation area;
   5. For the WNA, show proof of ownership of health insurance with a minimum coverage value of 30 thousand Singapore Dollars which includes financing for handling COVID-19 and medical evacuation to a referral hospital;
   6. Use PeduliLindungi and Bluepass apps during activities in the travel bubble area;
   7. Undergo body temperature checks and RT-PCR tests upon arrival at the entrance to the Batam and Bintan travel bubble areas;
   8. In the event that international travelers with the travel bubble mechanism have negative result of the RT-PCR test upon arrival at the entrance as referred to in letter g, then he/she can continue their visit by following these procedures:
      • Inspection of immigration documents and customs documents;
      • Baggage collection and baggage disinfection; and
      • Pick-up and drop-off of travelers to tourist destination lodging locations.
   9. In the event that international travelers with the travel bubble mechanism have positive result of the RT-PCR test upon arrival at the entrance as referred to in letter g, then followed up by following these procedures:
      • For travelers who are confirmed positive without symptoms or experience mild symptoms, they will be quarantined or treated in quarantine facility separated from the travel bubble area, with all costs covered independently for the WNA or covered by the Government for the WNI;
      • For travelers who are confirmed positive with moderate or severe symptoms, they will be quarantined or treated at a referral hospital with all cost covered independently for the WNA or covered by the Government for the WNI; or
      • Carry out medical evacuation to a referral hospital in accordance with the procedures set by the destination referral hospital.
   10. While in the travel bubble area of Batam and Bintan, all international travelers with travel bubble mechanisms must comply with the following conditions:
       1. Only interact with tourists or parties who are in one travel bubble area;
       2. Only do activities in the zone that has been set according to the itinerary;
       3. Report to health workers in the travel bubble area when experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 for COVID-19 examination by RT-PCR test; and
       4. If a positive case of COVID-19 is found in the related travel bubble area, all travelers must comply with the mechanism of close contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine that applies in Indonesia.
   11. Officers and employees at facilities or infrastructure within the travel bubble area of Batam and Bintan are required to comply with the following conditions:
       1. Show a card or certificate (physical or digital) stating that one has received the full dose of COVID-19 vaccination.
       2. Work with a shifting system for 14 days and stay over in the travel bubble area of Batam and Bintan during the shift schedule;
       3. Show a negative result of the RT-PCR test whose sample is taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours before the work shift schedule starts;
       4. Perform RT-PCR test before enter the travel bubble area;
       5. Report to health workers in the travel bubble area when experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 for COVID-19 examination by RT-PCR test;
       6. Perform RT-PCR test on day 13 to complete the work shift schedule;
       7. Allowed to return home or leave the travel bubble area after obtaining a negative result of the RT-PCR test as referred to in letter f; and
       8. Comply with the mechanism of close contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine that applies in Indonesia if a positive case of COVID-19 is found in the related travel bubble area.
   12. If it is found that international travelers with travel bubble mechanism, officers, and employees who are positive for COVID-19 during tourism activities in the travel bubble area of Batam and Bintan, the mechanism for tracing close contacts, isolation, and quarantine is carried out with the following conditions:
       1. Carry out quarantine or treatment in separate quarantine facilities from the travel bubble area for positive cases of COVID-19 without symptoms or with mild symptoms;
       2. Carry out quarantine or treatment at a referral hospital for positive cases of COVID-19 with moderate or severe symptoms;
       3. Quarantine or treatment costs for positive cases of COVID-19 as referred to in letters a and b for the WNA are entirely covered independently, for hotel officers and employees covered by the hotel management, and for non-hotel staff of the WNI are covered by the Government.
       4. Carry out medical evacuation to a referral hospital in accordance with the procedures set by the destination referral hospital; and
       5. Close contact tracing will be carried out on all participants in the same group (bubble) with the positive COVID-19 case based on the mechanism set and implemented by the local health office.
   13. Each party involved in the travel bubble mechanism is required to exercise strict health protocols while in the travel bubble area as follows:
       1. Use a three-ply cloth mask or a medical mask that covers the nose, mouth, and chin;
       2. Change the mask periodically every four hours, and dispose of the waste mask in the designated disposal point;
       3. Wash hands regularly using water and soap or hand sanitizer, especially after touching objects that other people have touched;
       4. Maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from other people and avoid crowds; and
       5. Use the PeduliLindungi app during activities in the travel bubble area.
   14. All international travelers with the travel bubble mechanism are required to follow the health protocols or requirements for citizens traveling from aboard that apply in the destination country/region when returning to Singapore.
   15. Facilities or infrastructure used in the travel bubble area of Batam and Bintan must meet the following conditions:
       1. Have a supporting staff that at least includes the following:
          • Operational personnel for security and supervision of health protocols;
          • Health workers are at least doctors and nurses; and
          • Supporting staff for implementing health protocols, at least administrative staff, cleaning staff, and cooks.
       2. Have a monitoring system for the implementation of health protocols such as TV cameras;
       3. Have lodging rooms that meet the following conditions:
          • Have adequate windows or ventilation;
          • Have adequate lighting;
          • Have covered trash cans and plastic for infectious waste;
          • Have an easy-to-clean room mat; and
          • Have a bathroom in each room.
       4. Have lodging rooms that can be used for more than one person or family and meet the requirements as referred to in letter c;
       5. Have a certain point for specimen collection and health observation equipped at least with body temperature measuring device, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, oximeter, medicines, and other basic medical equipment;
       6. Have a certain point for a drop-off and pick-up point, a registration area, a decontamination or disinfection area, an outdoor activities area, a specimen collection or examination area, and a health check examination area;
       7. Have a separate quarantine and isolation room from the travel bubble area for quarantine and isolation area for international travelers with travel bubble mechanism as well as officers and employees in facilities or infrastructure within the travel bubble area;
       8. Have a special break room for support staffs directly involved in monitoring, supervising, and implementing health protocols;
       9. Have waste disposal facilities that meet environmental sanitation standards at least the following provisions:
          • Separate organic and inorganic waste;
          • Available in sufficient quantity; and
          • Temporary waste disposal site and hazardous and toxic waste disposal site are available.
       10. Have equipment and materials for disinfection; and
       11. Have the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
   16. Every transportation operator at the entry point of the Batam and Bintan travel bubble area is required to use the PeduliLindungi app.
   17. Port Health Office at International Seaport facilitates the WNI or the WNA of international travelers with travel bubble mechanisms that require emergency medical services upon arrival in Indonesia in accordance with applicable regulations.
   18. Ministries/institutions/local governments that carry out functions related to the Batam and Bintan travel bubble mechanism with Singapore follow up on this circular by issuing legal instruments that are in line with and do not conflict with the referring this circular and the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations.
   19. The legal instrument as referred to in Number 11 is an inseparable part of this Circular.

In this Circular, the provisions of monitoring, control, and evaluation are also regulated, as follows:

1. The travel bubble area management assisted by relevant ministries/institutions, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and local governments in Riau Islands is required to establish the Task Force for Travel Bubble Area which carries out the measures of prevention, health care, coaching, and support as an effort to control the implementation of health protocols in the travel bubble area.
2. The Task Force for Travel Bubble Area is monitored and evaluated for its performance by the Provincial COVID-19 Task Force carried out periodically and in tiered.
3. Ministries/institutions, the TNI, the Polri, and local governments have the rights to stop and/or implement activities in the travel bubble area on the basis of this Circular which is consistent with and does not conflict with and/or the provisions of laws and regulations
4. Ministries/agencies, the TNI, the Polri, assisted by the COVID-19 Task Force for Seaport c.q. Port Health Office of International Sea carry out routine supervision to ensure compliance with the implementation of health protocols at the port of entry and the travel bubble area in the field during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. Authorized agencies (ministry/institutions, the TNI, the Polri, and local governments) carry out disciplinary of COVID-19 health protocols and law enforcement in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

(The COVID-19 Task Force/JW/UN) (GWH/MUR)