April 6, 2022
Visa on arrival extended to all ASEAN countries + Small packs of cooking oil disappearing from shelves as people switch to bulk orders + Pertamina says gas supply is safe as shortages continue + more
Good morning!
Welcome to The Bali Beat for Wednesday, April 6. In today’s edition, we have news of Indonesia restoring visa-on-arrival status to all ASEAN countries, as well as indicating that the VOA program will spread to all international airports. The cooking oil crisis continues to evolve, with supplies of smaller packages of oil disappearing from shelves as people switch to bulk orders which are still price-controlled. Similarly, in spite of Pertamina's assurances that there are no shortages, Pertalite supplies continue to be limited across the island as people stop buying Pertamax. Scroll down for the full wrap on what has been happening in Bali and Indonesia since you last heard from us.
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National Figures
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The Big News
"Indonesia Again Frees Visas for Tourists from ASEAN Countries" from Kompas (Indonesian): The government has again implemented a free visa or Visit Visa Free (BVK) policy for foreign tourists from countries in the Southeast Asian (ASEAN) region. This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. The ASEAN countries are Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. overseas travelers (PPLN) who will enter Indonesia, they must show the results of a 2 x 24 hour PCR test and proof of vaccination. Then, upon arrival in Indonesia, PPLN with a high temperature will again be asked for a PCR test. Meanwhile, those with normal temperatures will not be asked to perform a PCR test.
Context: During the press conference announcing this policy, Minister Airlangga also said that the VOA program would be expanded to all international airports across Indonesia and that NTB had still not seen any rise in the number of Covid cases since the Mandalika MotoGP.
"Prices Soar, Sales of Packaged Cooking Oil are now empty of buyers" from Suara Bali (Indonesian): Since the government removed the highest retail price of packaged cooking oil [from] Rp. 14,000 per liter, now there are no buyers selling packaged cooking oil. This is because the price has been handed over to the market and eventually soared. From observations on the State public market, the price of packaged cooking oil reaches Rp. 24,000 to 25,000 per liter. People now prefer bulk cooking oil, which is clearly cheaper and slowly abandoning packaged cooking oil. The price of bulk cooking oil is sold for Rp. 15,500 per liter.
Context: Yesterday the Ministry of Social Affairs said that it would distribute the cooking oil cash assistance that was promised earlier this week along with the non-cash food assistance (BPNT) and Family Hope Program (PKH), while officials in Mataram City in West Nusa Tenggara said that they were already gathering names of street vendors who will be eligible to receive the grants. Meanwhile, the Attorney General's office has elevated their inquiry into two cooking oil producers who allegedly overcharged and underproduced to a criminal investigation.
"Pertamina Opens Voice Regarding Pertalite and Solar Supply" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): PT Pertamina (Persero) reminded consumers not to worry about the supply of fuel at gas stations. Where the stock of fuel in all fuel terminals is safe and sufficient. The statement was made by Pertamina Patra Niaga Jatimbalinus Area Manager Communication & CSR, Deden Mochamad Idhani. "Since April 1, 2022, there has been an increase in consumption of pertalite and biodiesel types of fuel products by 15% and 10%, respectively," he said. "We really appreciate if consumers don't panic buying, because the stock of fuel at our BBM terminals is very sufficient, but because the distribution process uses a tank car, we need travel time or the distribution process from the BBM terminal to all gas stations."
Context: Over in Denpasar, many grocery store gas vendors are no longer even selling Pertamax fuel, instead carrying only the cheaper Pertalite; also, video out of the city continues to show long lines at gas stations that have run out of Pertalite, while over in Buleleng, motorcycle & scooter drivers interviewed there all said that they had made the switch from Pertamax, and in Karangasem, many gas stations are still without fuel.
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Other Headlines
"Indonesia ready to welcome Australian tourists: Minister Uno" from Antara: Indonesia is ready to welcome international tourists, especially from Australia to Bali, as the government has gradually reopened international borders, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno stated. "We also have to disseminate information on our travel policies to the international community. The policies show our concern for the safety and health of the tourists," Uno noted while meeting Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams. Uno has planned to visit two cities in Australia -- Melbourne and Sydney -- to increase the number of international tourists from the country to Indonesia. "Australian tourists consider Bali as their second home," he remarked.
"Car Traders are mushrooming in Legian" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): The head of LPM Legian, I Wayan Puspa Negara, said that the presence of car dealers who often hang out in a number of hotels in Legian has become a serious concern so far. The reason is, the traders in cars, most of whom come from outside the Legian area, are perched directly near the hotel. This condition certainly cuts off the movement of tourists who want to shop for souvenirs at the Legian Art Market. Mentioned related to sanctions against car dealers, Puspa Negara admitted that his party did not have the authority, let alone to impose sanctions. "So now it's just urging them. We immediately talked to traders so that they would no longer sell in the Legian area," said Puspa Negara.
Vaccination Update
"COVID-19 booster rate doubles since govt's 'mudik' policy" from The Jakarta Post: The daily COVID-19 booster rate has more than doubled since the government made getting a third vaccine dose a requirement for people intending to travel for the annual Idul Fitri tradition of mudik (exodus). Health Ministry spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi said on Monday that the daily number of people getting a booster dose had doubled to around 700,000 recipients per day from around 300,000 recipients per day in late March. As of Sunday, only 11.3 percent of the 208.2 million targeted vaccine recipients had received their third vaccine dose.
More...
Province: “Highest, Covid-19 Immunization Coverage in Bali Province” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Province: "25 Thousand Vaccines in Bali Expired, Health Office Waits for Central Direction" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "Sinovac Vaccine Doses in Bali Now Only Used for Children, Here's Why" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Don't Miss It, Here's The Booster Vaccination Schedule at Sanglah Hospital Denpasar" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
Denpasar: "53 Residents Netted by Prokes, Some Don't Wear Masks" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Only Two Vaccines, Padangbai Port Requires Passengers to Show PCR Results" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
Province: "Bali Airport sees 56% increase in passengers in March” from Antara
Education
Buleleng: "[Fire at] Printer Scorches Thousands of Elementary and Middle School Exam Texts in Buleleng Regency" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Had Lockdown, SMAN 1 Denpasar Undertook a Full PTM" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Succeeding PTM, Denpasar Mayor Reminds Students Regarding Prokes" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Jembrana Regent Nengah Tamba Ensures PTM 100 Percent Obey Prokes" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"Climbing Mount Tambora on Sumbawa Island is Re-opened" from Republika (Indonesian): The Ministry of Environment and Forestry has reopened the Mount Tambora hiking trail on Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara starting April 5 after previously being closed due to extreme weather since January 24, 2022. Head of the Tambora National Park Office, Yunaidi, said, "Starting April 5, 2022, all official hiking trails in Tambora National Park will be reopened for climbing activities and the like. "We also enforce the rules for climbing and camping activities within the Tambora National Park, no more than three days and two nights."
Of Interest
"Newlyweds wanted for tying the knot without permits" from Coconuts
"One Family Strikes By Lightning While Walking in Rice Field, One Daughter Dies" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
"Drought Arrives [in Karangasem), Community Asked to Beware of Land Fires" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
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