Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Average Weekly Number of Commuters between Singapore and Batam or Bintan Before COVID-19 Pandemic and Risk Mitigation Measures to Manage Transmission Risks

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     what was the average weekly number of commuters between Singapore and Batam or Bintan before the COVID-19 pandemic; 

b.     what is the expected weekly number of commuters when Indonesia reopens Batam and Bintan to fully vaccinated Singaporean travellers; and 

c.     whether the Government will consider risk mitigation measures such as imposing an initial cap on the number of these commuters to manage COVID-19 transmission risks.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran: 

1.     In 2019, the average number of ferry passenger arrivals and departures between Singapore and Batam and Bintan was about 146,000 a week in total.

2.     Since Indonesia opened up quarantine-free travel bubbles for fully vaccinated tourist travellers from Singapore to Batam and Bintan from 24 January 2022, the number of ferry passenger arrivals and departures has remained at around 600 per week.

3.     Singapore and Indonesia are working towards an arrangement to facilitate two-way quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated travellers between Singapore and Batam and Bintan, as part of our plans to gradually reopen borders while managing public health risks. We will share more details when ready.