MS Originals

Indonesia Halts Batam & Bintan Travel Corridor With S’pore, Cites Rising Cases

Indonesia Halts Travel Corridor After Seeing Singapore’s High Number Of Covid-19 Cases

When the number of Covid-19 cases starts decreasing, most countries would think about opening the borders to help their tourism industry.

However, plans can also change depending on the Covid-19 situation within the countries involved.

Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported on Thursday (7 Oct) that Indonesia has decided to halt their Batam and Bintan travel corridor with Singapore.

Riau Island’s Governor, Ansar Ahmad, revealed that Singapore’s surge in Covid-19 cases was taken into consideration when making the decision.

Indonesia halts travel corridor with Singapore

Indonesia confirmed the cancellation of their travel corridor with Singapore on Wednesday (6 Oct).

According to Antara News, Governor Ansar confirmed that the cancellation was caused by the recent rise in Singapore’s Covid-19 cases.

Last month, he had mentioned that Riau Islands would be opened to fully vaccinated tourists from Singapore in October.

However, this is not the first time the travel corridor has been halted. The plans were also put on hold in mid-July when Indonesia was experiencing its 2nd Covid-19 wave.

The travel corridor was first discussed in March to bring tourists from Singapore to Riau Islands’ Batam Nongsa and Bintan Lagoi.

Source

 

Both countries also wanted to ensure the safety of their people while executing the travel corridor. Hence, they decided to open it only when the Covid-19 situation is under control.

Though Indonesia still has a high number of cases, Riau Islands is considered to be safer due to the low risk as there are fewer infected cases.

Important to ensure the safety of the people

Though it is a pity that the corridor will not be able to open yet, the safety of the people is still more important.

Hopefully, Singapore will be able to reduce the number of Covid-19 cases and stabilise the situation soon.

Let us all do our part in adhering to safety measures so as to prevent the spread of the virus.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Google Maps

Kimberly Seah

Kimberly loves travelling and immersing herself in different cultures. Unfortunately, those plans are currently on hold.

Recent Posts

GE2025: WP announces 4 more new faces, including IMH psychologist & industrial equipment firm owner

WP has not mentioned which constituencies they would be contesting in.

18 Apr 2025, 4:56 pm

Ng Eng Hen not running in GE2025, PAP fielding 2 new faces in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

He is Singapore's longest-serving Defence Minister.

18 Apr 2025, 3:18 pm

Woman in Thailand gives birth on roadside, abandons newborn to die while celebrating Songkran

A Facebook user claiming to be the woman has since posted an apology, saying she…

18 Apr 2025, 1:00 pm

MS Features: The surgeon who found all of S’pore’s stick insects & suffered a concussion for his hobby

Misadventures didn't stop Dr Francis Seow-Choen from pursuing his passion.

18 Apr 2025, 11:31 am

British man jailed for verbally abusing auxiliary police officer & grabbing her chest at Changi Airport

Other officers who tried to intervene were also pushed and subjected to vulgarities, causing them…

18 Apr 2025, 10:45 am

Hornbill family gathers on tray return rack in Newton, enjoys fruit ‘buffet’

They shared the fruit amongst each other rather than fighting over it.

18 Apr 2025, 8:00 am