April 16, 2021
Tourism ministry monitoring Bali every 2 weeks ahead of reopening + Island has half of Indonesia's red zones says Covid-19 Task Force + Traffic police will help "ease" travel before mudik ban + more!
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Weather & Waves
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
Today’s Tides
Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
Tide table from Tide-forecast.com.
Local Covid Numbers
*Note: There was only a slight rise in new Covid-19 cases yesterday (134) after the previous day’s 121, bringing the 7-day average down to 150 (it was 200 just over a week ago). The fatality rate remained stable with 3 deaths. Recoveries jumped to 125 after Wednesday's 3.5-month low of 69.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"Regarding the Travel Bubble Plan, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Will Be Monitoring Bali Every Two Weeks" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) continues to monitor the plan to implement the Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) or travel bubble in Bali, Batam and Bintan (3B). In the Riau Islands the two zones being prepared are Nongsa in Batam and Lagoi in Bintan, while in Bali the zones are Ubud, Sanur and Nusa Dua. "Towards the implementation of the TCA in 3B, for Bali we do monitoring every two weeks. For Batam-Bintan, once a week," said Kemenparekraf Deputy for Strategic Policy, R. Kurleni Ukar. According to President Joko Widodo's direction, the implementation of TCA in Bali takes into account the existing situation. If it is more conducive, then a TCA can be carried out in the period June-July 2021.
Context: On Tuesday we included a story about the TCA between Singapore and Bintan-Batam being delayed from its scheduled start date of April 21. The Head of Riau Islands Tourism Office said May 7 is the revised opening date, but that this is still being discussed.
"Half of Indonesia’s Covid-19 Red Zones Are in Bali, Task Force Says" from Coconuts Bali: Indonesia may have recorded a notable decrease of COVID-19 “red zones” across the country at the end of March, but the number of high-risk areas have doubled again since then with five regions in Bali accounting for half the total. As of April 11, 10 regencies and cities in Indonesia are deemed as having the highest risk of COVID-19 transmission, five of which are located in Bali: Badung, Gianyar, Buleleng, Tabanan, and Denpasar. Others in the list are located in North Sumatra, South Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan.
"Traffic Police Will ‘Ease’ Travel Before Mudik Ban Comes Into Effect on May 6" from Coconuts Jakarta: The government previously banned mudik, which, before the pandemic, involved around 30 million Indonesians leaving major cities to visit their hometowns during the major Islamic Eid holiday, in its effort to battle COVID-19. According to the National Police Traffic Corps Chief Inspector General Istiono, [before May 6] the police will ensure the safety of travelers going on mudik before the cut-off date.
>> Classifieds <<
Community is so important - especially in times like these. If you’re looking to connect with the community of dedicated, engaged people in Bali who’ve stayed during this pandemic, you can reach them with a classified ad in this space. Check out this page to find out how.
Other Headlines
"BPD Bali Awaits Cross Border QRIS, to Support Tourism on the Island of the Gods" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): President Director of Bali Regional Development Bank, I Nyoman Sudharma, said that the implementation of cross border QR codes will benefit the Island of the Gods, which is a destination for foreign tourists. With a cross border QR code, contactless transactions can be made by foreign tourists in Bali. "When our tourism is reopened, BPD Bali plans to request permission from Bank Indonesia to implement cross border transactions at every merchant to facilitate foreign tourists."
Vaccination Update
"Vaccinations Stop Temporarily in Bali During Galungan and Kuningan Celebrations, Eid" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): Director of Medical Services, Support and Nursing at the Sanglah Central General Hospital (RSUP) Denpasar, Ketut Ariawati said, "On April 13, 14, 15 we did not open vaccinations for Covid-19. On the 16th we will open again for the Covid-19 vaccination, which has been determined by the Health Office." Vaccinations were closed for both health facilities and banjar-based vaccinations. For the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holiday, Covid-19 vaccination activities will also be stopped.
Context: There was no mention in the article of whether vaccine services will be temporarily suspended on Kuningan day (the last day of Galungan), which falls on April 24.
More...
Nation: "Number of Recipients of Second Covid-19 Dose Tops 5.7 Million" from Antara
Nation: "Indonesia's Covid-19 Vaccines to Likely Become Available This Year" from Antara
Island: "Vaccinations Stop in Bali During Galungan Celebrations, Kuningan, Eid" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: "Preparation for PTM in Petang, Badung Waiting for Vaccination of Teachers and Staff" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "70% of Junior High School Teachers in Denpasar Have Been Vaccinated, Completed May" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "40,000 Vaccinated Citizens, Accelerate Herd Immunity with Door to Door" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "DPRD Chairman Urges for Acceleration of Vaccination in Klungkung Regency" from Republika (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Tabanan Begins Vaccination Around Three Tourist Attractions" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
Island: "In the Month of Ramadan and Galungan 2021, the Bali Police Prokes Team Patrols Places of Worship" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Economy
"Exports Hit 10-year Record of $18.35 Billion in March" from Antara: This level was only surpassed in August 2011, when the figure was recorded at US$18.64 billion, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). High demand from several countries and an increase in exports of Indonesia’s key commodities had a great impact on export performance in March this year, said BPS chief Suhariyanto. Positive export growth was recorded in all sectors, including oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, and mining. On a monthly basis, the oil and gas sector grew 5.28%, agriculture rose 27.06%, manufacturing increased 22.37%, and mining and other activities rose 13.68%.
More...
"Indonesia Books Trade Surplus of US$1.57 Billion in March 2021" from Antara
"Indonesia's Imports Grew in March 2021 to US$16.79 Billion: BPS" from Antara
"BI: In Bali, the Money Supply Fell 55% in the First Quarter of 2021" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
"Quarter I/2021, Bali Experienced Net Inflow of Rp.2.25 Trillion" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
"Decreased Purchasing Power, Turnover of Traditional Market Traders Down to Tens of Percent" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
"Hotels in Bali Brace for Impact From Upcoming Mudik Ban" from Coconuts Bali: Tourism players and researchers are making gloomy predictions for hotels in Bali ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, as Indonesia gears up to ban the annual homecoming exodus tradition known as mudik. Before the pandemic, thousands of tourists regularly poured into the island [during the holiday]. “If all modes of transportation, from sea, air, to land, are prohibited to go to Bali during Eid al-Fitr festivities, of course it will have an impact on Bali. The hotel occupancy rate might only be in the single digits,” Rai Suryawijaya, who heads the Badung chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), said.
"Tourist Attractions in Badung will be Installed with GeNose C19" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport has installed GeNose C19 devices for passenger health tests. A similar step will be taken by the Badung Regency Government. "I will install GeNose C19 services in tourist destinations according to our capabilities,” said Badung Regent, Nyoman Giri Prasta. Regarding how many tools will be installed, he was reluctant to provide an explanation. "Because we are still celebrating Galungan and Kuningan holidays in Bali, in the near future we will install GeNose C19."
Context: On Monday we included a story about the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy announcing plans to trial GeNose testing services for tourist destinations, including tourism villages. The Jakarta Post recently published two (paywalled) features on the GeNose test; the first focusing on why doubts linger over its accuracy, and the second on how it is offering hope for domestic tourism.
"Jokowi Eyes Cabinet Reshuffle This Week, The Second in Five Months" from The Jakarta Globe: President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is expected to reshuffle his cabinet again this week after the House of Representatives greenlighted the president's plan to reorganize the ministries, the President's close aide said on Tuesday. Under the plan, the Research and Technology Ministry would merge with Education Ministry, terminating a seat in the cabinet currently held by Bambang Brodjonegoro. The president would also create Investment Ministry, a new entity that will replace the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).
Of Interest
"New Covid-19 Variant B1525 Identified in Batam of Riau Islands" from Antara
“Meaning of Togetherness, Muslims in Bali Have the Tradition of Megibung" from IDN Times Bali (Indonesian)
"After Galungan, There Was a 30% Increase in Waste in Denpasar" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
"East Lombok Is Designated as a Tobacco Products Industry Area" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
"Jokowi Proposes Exclusive German Industrial Area in Central Java" from The Jakarta Post (Premium)
"31 Suspected JAD Members Arrested for Makassar Church Bombing" from The Jakarta Globe
"Circulation of Fake Banknotes Declining Due to Digitalization: BI" from Antara
Became a Victim of Illegal Investment, French Foreigner Reports to the NTB Financial Services Authority" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
"Before He Died, This Was the Request From a German Foreigner to a Witness" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"French Pedophile Sentenced to 8 Years for Child Rape in Bali" from Coconuts Bali
Weekend Reads
"Indonesians Are Loving These Portrayals of Harmony as Muslims and Hindus Celebrate Religious Holidays in the Same Month" from Coconuts Bali
"Australia Appoints First Woman to Become Ambassador to Indonesia" from The Jakarta Post
"Cutting Asian Language Courses at Australian Universities Hurting Students’ Job Prospects, Experts Say" from The Guardian
How You Can Help
In response to the collapse of the tourism sector in Bali and the resulting economic crisis, dozens of individuals and organizations have sprung into action, raising funds and distributing badly needed food and everyday essentials to the innumerable families who have suddenly found themselves without any source of income. We've been making an effort to document and raise awareness of these efforts. We will add information on projects in this space as we are able to confirm them. If you'd like to see a list of the efforts that we've featured so far and contribute to them with either time or money, visit our complete list here. You can also see a list of projects that have registered themselves at BaliSolidarity.org. If you know of an effort and would like to have them listed, please send their information to TheBaliBeat@outlanders.global.
About This Newsletter
This newsletter is a product of Migration Media, the hub for stories from and about the international migrant experience.
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