Inp.polri.go.id - Batam.  The Batam Port Health Office has stepped up surveillance at international entry points amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in neighbouring Singapore. Ahmad Hidayat, the Head of the Batam Port Health Office, announced on Thursday (7/12/2023) that his team had reintroduced body temperature scanners at the city's international port, antaranews.com reported. "We have stepped up surveillance since the pneumonia cases began. We are reaching out to the public and stepping up our surveillance at the port," he said. While there are no specific requirements for travel to Indonesia from abroad, the health authorities have imposed checks at Indonesia's entry points . Hidayat asserted the importance of taking health precautions as an early preventive measure against COVID-19, especially for vulnerable groups and people with illnesses in public places. He urged the public to complete their COVID-19 vaccinations, stressing that the government is providing free vaccines at community health centres. Hidayat advised people to postpone non-essential travel to countries where there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases. Despite the increase in cases in Indonesia, he assured that the situation is manageable and under control. (mg/inp/pr/nm)