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The Indonesian government delayed establishing a travel corridor with Singapore as the number of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia continues to rise and following the implementation of a nationwide movement restriction order.

Jakarta Post reported that on Monday (July 26), Indonesia's Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said that the government will only continue the discussion on a travel corridor with Singapore once domestic Covid-19 cases have fallen.

The travel corridor will also depend on Singapore's Covid-19 daily count, currently experiencing a surge as Singapore went into Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).

Focus on Bali, Batam, Bintan

Once the discussion resumes, Indonesia will focus on opening up Bali, Batam, and Bintan as these are among the top travel destinations for Singaporeans.

Establishing travel corridors is one way Indonesia plans to boost tourism.

Similar talks on travel corridors were discussed with Belgium, France, Russia, UK, the Netherlands and Vietnam.

Pressure on tourism industry

However, the recent resurgence of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia prompted the government to extend a nationwide movement restrictions.

These restrictions put pressure on the tourism and hospitality industry, Sandiaga said, with hotel occupancy rates fell to as low as 10 per cent.

Fully-vaccinated individuals in S'pore may be able to travel without quarantine upon return

In Singapore, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong mentioned in Parliament yesterday (July 26) that fully vaccinated individuals may soon be able to travel without quarantine or serving stay home notices upon their return.

He said that Singapore will establish travel corridors with countries that have managed to control the spread of Covid-19 well.

Those who are not vaccinated can still travel, but they are subjected to the prevailing quarantine order or stay home notices.

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Top photo by Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP via Getty Images