COVID-19 News: Indonesian News Agency Reports That Batam Is Tightening Entry Controls As COVID-19 Infections Soar In Singapore! Other Countries Should Note!
COVID-19 News: Antara, the Indonesian news agency has reported that Batam, a famous destination for international travelers including Singaporeans is currently tightening entry controls including introducing stringent health screenings after it claimed that COVID-19 infections are rising in neighboring Singapore.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/300441/batam-tightens-entry-controls-as-singapore-covid-19-cases-soar
Interestingly, there has been not much local media reports or
COVID-19 News coverages about the COVID-19 situation in Singapore but again this can be expected as most of the media in Singapore are basically government controlled and Singapore manages any unfolding situations via strict media control and stringent laws.
Batam
Occasionally, you do have local media statements that contrast with most other countries’ epidemiological approaches and scientific findings or views as Singapore always has its own group of so-called local experts who seem to know better than medical professionals or researchers from anywhere else in the world!
Ahmad Hidayat, the Head of Batam KKP, announced on Thursday that the immigration and ports’s team has reinstated body temperature scanners at the city's international port.
He emphasized that enhanced supervision has been in effect since the initial instances of pneumonia cases, with ongoing efforts to engage with the public and bolster scrutiny at the port.
Currently, there are no specific prerequisites for foreign travel to Indonesia. Nevertheless, the team continues to conduct thorough checks at Indonesia's entry points. Hidayat also urged the public to maintain health precautions as an early preventive measure against COVID-19, particularly emphasizing the significance for vulnerable groups and individuals with illnesses in public spaces.
In addition to these measures, Hidayat underscored the importance of completing the COVID-19 vaccination. The government is currently providing free COVID-19 vaccines at community health centers, adhering to the recommended guidelines despite the lifted pandemic declaration.
Hidayat suggested that individuals postpone non-essential travel to countries witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
According to Indonesian Health Ministry data, COVID-19 cases in Indonesia have experienced a recent uptick, rising from below 50 cases to over 200 cases in the past week. Hidayat assured that the increase in Indonesia is still manageable and under control.
In Batam City, collaboration with the Health Service continues to monitor the rise in COVID-19 cases. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has urged the public to ensure double protection through
vaccination and adherence to health protocols in light of the escalating rate of COVID-19 cases in Singapore.
For those who haven't completed their COVID-19 vaccination, Sadikin encouraged them to visit their nearest health facility and avail themselves of the free vaccine, available until December. He emphasized the importance of taking advantage of this opportunity to enhance community immunity.
While Indonesia is taking more safety precautions to safeguard its citizens SARS-CoV-2 spread and infections, other countries in the ASEAN region and also elsewhere should take note of what is claimed to be to happening in Singapore and possibly start introducing more stringent screenings of Singaporean travelers and also travelers form other countries where COVID-19 infections are now surging such as China, the United States and even Canada.
At this moment, we are unable are report on the true COVID-19 situation in Singapore as we are unable to access real and credible data including verified daily or weekly infections and deaths and also excess mortality figures that are from third party audited platforms. Reporting on scenes at hospitals or mortuaries and daily funerals held at public housing void decks etc can be misleading and also be easily contradicted. It is even hard for any foreign media that is not based in Singapore to report on the events taking place in Singapore when even the locals are oblivious of what is happening in their own surroundings!
For the latest
COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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