Batam - The Acting Governor of Riau Islands, Bahtiar Baharuddin confirmed the preparation of ports in Batam, Wednesday (14/10/2020). This was followed by the negotiations between Indonesia and Singapore regarding the Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) that have been completed.

Bahtiar said that the port's preparation was related to the implementation of the health protocol at the port. On that occasion, Bahtiar together with the Riau Islands Police and the Acting Mayor of Batam, Syamsul Bahrum checked the Batam Center port.

"The international route has begun to open, according to Foreign Minister Retno's declare," said Bahtiar.

He explained the health protocol that needed to be considered regarding the availability of rooms with free air in and out. Then the implementation of keeping a distance at the port.

Then there must be room for temporary isolation for ship passengers who are indicated by Covid-19. And there are additional protocols that will be implemented, namely before entering Batam, passengers were required to do a swab test.

After arriving at Batam port, another swab examination is carried out. Likewise, when I want to go to Singapore

"So there is a mandatory swab test going home and going, because that way it can be known whether someone is exposed to Covid-19 or not, it could be that on a ship exposed to Covid-19," he said.

Regarding the examination of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, Bahtiar has not been able to confirm which team will carry out the process because until now there has been no official notification on the international route. They only received the information from the media.

Furthermore, regarding the results of the port inspection, Bahtiar said that the Batam Center port had implemented health protocols well. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the port continued to operate.

"It is still operating, because our PMI returned from Malaysia and Singapore," he said.

Bahtiar emphasized that this international route was open only to business people and diplomats or those who carry out government activities. The plan was for an international route between Indonesia and Singapore to open on October 26, 2020.