3 things to note if you want to travel under the Singapore-Indonesia travel bubble

The travel bubble (BB-S) is only limited to travel between Singapore-Batam, and Singapore-Bintan. International travellers are to enter the pre-determined islands via their respective ferry terminal, and to engage in travel activities within the island.

Starting from 24 January 2022 (Monday), international travellers can travel between Indonesia (the Riau Islands) and Singapore through a travel bubble scheme called Batam Bintan-Singapore (BB-S).

This travel bubble has been approved by Indonesia's President Joko Widodo "after various preparations were carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy", it was said on Saturday (22 January).

"The President has agreed to start the implementation of the BB-S travel bubble as a prototype to start the economic opening, especially tourism in a limited and controlled scheme," said Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto. This travel bubble "will continue until a specified time later". 

International travellers who are planning to enter Indonesia via the BB-S must take note of the following:

#1 Arrival

Point-of-entry

All international travellers under the travel bubble scheme must enter Batam or Bintan through:

• Nongsapura International Ferry Terminal, for Nongsa Sensation in Batam; and
• Bandar Bintan Belani Ferry Terminal, for Lagoi Bintan Resort in Bintan.

#2 Checking and testing

Documents needed

All international travellers must:

• Present proof of vaccination (physical and digital) that has been administered at least 14 days before departure, in English or in their national language. The proof of vaccination must also be verified on the official website of Indonesia's Ministry of Health, or e-HAC International Indonesia;
• Present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test in the country/region of origin, with sample taken within a maximum of three days before departure, and present during the health examination, or on e-HAC International Indonesia;
• Present a tourist visa or other entry permits according to the regulations applied, with exclusions for international travellers with Singapore citizenship;
• Present evidence of booking confirmation and payment for the travel bubble travel packages in the Lagoi Bintan Resort or Nongsa Sensation area, and
• Present evidence of health insurance ownership with a minimum coverage value of S$30,000, which includes financing of COVID-19 handling, and medical evacuation towards a referral hospital.

Testing

All international travellers must:

• Undergo on-arrival body temperature checks and a RT-PCR examination at the entrance to the travel bubble area in Batam or Bintan.
  
  
  • If the result is negative, the taveller can proceed with BB-S after the examination of immigration documents and customs documents, and baggage collection and disinfection.
  • If the result is positive, the traveller has to:
    • [Without any symptoms or experiencing mild symptoms] Undergo isolation or treatment in a place of accommodation that is away from the travel bubble area, that is entirely self-funded for the foreign nationals, or borne by the government for Indonesian citizens;
    • [With moderate or severe symptoms] Undergo isolation or treatment at the referral hospital, that is entirely self-funded by foreign nationals, or borne by the government for Indonesian citizens; or undergo medical evacuation to a referral hospital in accordance with the procedure set by the related referral hospital.

#3 Activities

During travel

All international travellers are only allowed to:

• Interact with tourists or parties within the pre-determined island (Bintan or Batam);
• Engage with activities in the pre-determined island in accordance with the trip (itinerary) set;
• Use a three-layer fabric, or medical mask that covers the nose, the mouth, and the chin;
• Change masks regularly every four hours, and dispose of mask waste in the places provided;
• Wash hands regularly using water and soap, or hand sanitiser, especially after touching objects that are touched by others;
• Keep a minimum social distancing of 1.5 metres with other people, and avoid the crowd, and
• Use PeduliLindungi, and/or the Bluepass apps during activities in the travel bubble areas.

When unwell during travel

All international travellers are to:

• Report to health workers in the travel bubble area if they experience symptoms related to COVID-19, to be further examined with a RT-PCR test; and
• Comply with the mechanism of close contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine that apply in Indonesia if he/she is COVID-19 positive in the pre-determined zones.
  
  
  • If the result is positive, the traveller has to:
    • [Without any symptoms or experiencing mild symptoms] Undergo isolation or treatment in a place of accommodation that is away from the travel bubble area, that is entirely self-funded for the foreign nationals, or borne by the government for Indonesian citizens;
    • [With moderate or severe symptoms] Undergo isolation or treatment at the referral hospital, that is entirely self-funded by foreign nationals, or borne by the government for Indonesian citizens; or undergo medical evacuation to a referral hospital in accordance with the procedure set by the related referral hospital.
    • Undergo close contact tracing based on the procedures set by the local health office.

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