Travel between Singapore and Indonesia will become easier when the
first passenger ferry to Batam resumes operations on 18 February, and a
bilateral quarantine-free travel between both countries takes effect
from 25 February.
The resumption of ferry services marks a progressive step forward
towards reopening travel between Singapore and Indonesia, as travel
players have been actively laying the groundwork to welcome back
visitors following the announcement of the Bintan-Batam-Singapore (BB-S)
travel bubble announced on 24 January.
For
now, only one ferry will be operating each day between Singapore's
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Nongsapura Ferry Terminal in Batam.
Although the ferry has the capacity to take on about 240 pax, a maximum
passenger limit of 120 pax will be applied in compliance with Covid-19
health protocol.
The first ferry setting sail on 18 February from Tanah Merah will
depart at 3pm Singapore time and arrive in Nongsapura Ferry at around
2:40pm Batam time. Daily ferries from Nongsapura will depart for Tanah
Merah at 1pm Batam time.
Currently, the BB-S travel bubble arrangement only allows travellers
from Singapore to enjoy quarantine-free travel into Batam or Bintan, but
they will be separated from domestic tourists to ensure health
protocols are in place.
Visitors entering Bintan and Batam from 25 February onward will be
able to enjoy quarantine-free travel both ways between Indonesia and
Singapore. In the lead up to the official bilateral travel bubble
launch, tourists will still be subjected to a seven-day stay-home notice
upon entry back to Singapore.
To be able to visit the two islands, travellers must be vaccinated
and have stayed in Singapore for the last 14 days prior to the trip.