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THE BLUE PASS, a tool to help detect close contacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been used in the Indonesia-Singapore travel bubble travel scheme, especially in the Bintan and Batam areas in the Riau Archipelago.
As of Monday (1/24), this COVID-19 contact tracing tool has become one of the requirements for the arrival of foreign tourists from Singapore in addition to the PeduliLindungi application. To note, the Blue Pass used in the travel bubble is the same as the one tested by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) on Wednesday (1/26).
“Yes, this Blue Pass is the same as the one used by BNPB and recommended by the Singaporean government. Previously we have coordinated with BNPB to use employees who take care of tourism in Lagoi (Bintan),” said Head of the Riau Islands Tourism Office, Buralimar, as quoted from kompas.com, Friday (1/28).
He added, as for how the Blue Pass device works, one Blue Pass device will be given to each tourist who enters the Bintan and Batam areas, and is required to be used when traveling.
“Previously, employees at Lagoi were already in use. So, the data would be recorded as having gone and meeting anyone. Within 15 minutes with a distance of three meters, Blue Passes that are close to each other will record into the user’s device as a close contact. This will make tracking easier or tracing if there is a sudden positive case of COVID-19,” he said.
So, he continued, if it turns out that one of them is confirmed positive, tracing can be more efficient because it doesn’t need to be done to everyone. For example, there were only five people in the provisions mentioned above, so only they would be examined.
“It is also very easy to use this tool, he continued, that is, you only need to carry it with you when you travel. Just carry it, just put it around your neck or put it in your pocket. But it can’t be separated from the body,” he said.
The use of this tool will continue to be monitored, especially if it has been used by tourists. With a separate operator, each traveler will get their name and number on this small, lightweight, water-resistant blue device.
How is this tracking device checking system? Buralimar said, as long as there are no positive cases, the monitoring party can only monitor it.
“We released them. But for example, the worst-case scenario when we want to go home, then the PCR or antigen test is positive, then we trace through the application. The practice and application of the Blue Pass in the Lagoi and Nongsa areas So far, the Blue Pass which is ready to operate is located in the Lagoi area, Bintan,” he said.
He explained that the employees there were trained and taught from BNPB, so they could operate and monitor from one system. In Nongsa Batam, we are still preparing. While waiting for the further process of implementing the travel bubble from the government, his party is trying to implement the Blue Pass properly.
“Moreover, there are quite a lot of Blue Passes available. Lagoi and BNPB cooperate directly in this matter,” he concluded. Although currently Nongsa, Batam, has not practiced the Blue Pass directly, the entry requirements for tourists to enter the travel bubble area have been prepared.
Starting from the ranks of customs officers, immigration, police, to the Batam area and national COVID-19 Task Force overseeing the port. Tourists are also required to show vaccination certificates, PCR test results, and use of PeduliLindungi application. Although it is ready, until now there have been no reports of foreign tourists entering through the travel bubble scheme. [kompas.com/photo special]
