August 12, 2021
KMP Yunicee ferry sank due to being overloaded say police; 3 suspects named + Badung regent lobbies central government to open direct flights + New regulations for foreign air arrivals + more
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Weather & Tides
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
Today’s Tides
Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
Tide table from Tide-forecast.com.
Local Covid Numbers
*Note: Yesterday was the 17th consecutive day of cases over 1,000. There were 6 foreigners among the 1,270 cases; 4 who had traveled domestically and 2 local transmissions. The 7-day average is now 1,231, while yesterday’s 27 deaths brought this month’s total fatalities to 238.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"KMP Yunicee Ferry Tragedy, Police Name 3 Suspects and Reveal Cause of Sinking" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): Passenger Motor Ship (KMP) Yunicee sank in the waters of the Bali strait on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Police from the Polairud Baharkam Police Headquarters have named three suspects, including the captain of the ship. Police Commissioner Gusti Nyoman Sudarsana said the captain of the ship was named a suspect because he was suspected of not having played a role in efforts to save passengers on board. As for the cause of the incident, the ferry, which is estimated to have a passenger capacity of 300 people, sank due to being overloaded. According to Sudarsana, it departed from Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, East Java, and sailed to Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana, Bali with a load of 229 tons. 11 people lost their lives, 15 are still missing and 51 others survived but still have wounds and trauma.
"Regent Giri Prasta Lobbies to Open Direct Flights" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): Badung Regent, I Nyoman Giri Prasta, plans to lobby the central government so that direct flights from abroad can be opened immediately. "If we are able to encourage [residents to get] two vaccines, and create safe situations and conditions, astungkara we will ask the center to immediately open direct flights, so that later there will be tourists traveling in the areas of South Kuta, Kuta, and North Kuta," he said. According to the regent, when tourists travel, it will directly provide opportunities for the community to work. "We will focus first on handling Covid-19, so that later the South Badung area can be visited by domestic or foreign tourists."
"Covid-19 Handling Task Force Regulates Air Travel for Foreigners" from Antara: The COVID-19 Handling Task Force has issued a circular regulating air travel for foreigners under which all regions will apply blanket testing rules. “The travel industry has to be regulated strictly as high mobility can be a new source of COVID-19 transmission," the COVID-19 Handling Task Force’s spokesperson, Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, said. All regions at all PPKM levels will now require the same COVID-19 tests – a PCR test taken up to 48 hours before travel or a rapid antigen test taken up to 24 hours before travel. Moreover, a vaccination certificate requirement has also been applied to all regions under which travelers will need to carry certificates showing they have received at least one dose. However, such certificates will not be required by foreigners holding diplomatic or service visas and Limited or Permanent Stay Permit Cards, or those entering Indonesia only for transit flights out of Indonesian territory, those who are under 18 years of age, and those who have been unable to get vaccinated due to health conditions.
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Other Headlines
"Indonesian Govt Imposes New Domestic Air Travel Regulations" from Antara: The policy commenced on Wednesday with an indefinite end depending on current conditions. Flight passengers traveling to and from Java and Bali or any regions under Level 4 or Level 3 community activity restrictions must show proof of at least a first vaccine shot and an RT-PCR test with a negative result from samples taken within 48 hours prior to their flight. People traveling inter-city or inter-district must bring a full COVID-19 vaccination certificate and a RT-PCR test with a negative result from samples taken within 48 hours, or their certification of a first vaccine shot and the antigen test from samples taken 48 hours prior to departure. Passengers using sea, land or other means of transportation to and from Java and Bali or any regions under Level 4 or Level 3 community activity restrictions must show certification of their first vaccine shot and a negative RT-PCR result from samples taken within 48 hours or an antigen test result taken within 24 hours. children under the age of 12 are not allowed to travel within the country between provincial/district/city administrative boundaries for the time being.
Vaccination Update
"Vaccine Certificate Becomes a Requirement to Enter Malls, Bali Awaits Trials in Jakarta" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): During the PPKM period, August 10-16, 2021, malls and shopping centers will receive concessions on the condition that they apply vaccine certificate requirements for visitors. Then what about in Bali? The discourse on vaccines for visitors has surfaced since last week, but the execution has not yet been carried out. Malls in Bali chose to wait for the results of 'trials' conducted in a number of malls in the capital. “We are still waiting for the impact of this program, whether it is effective or not. Later, the management will also explain what the mechanism is," said Roger Ramschie, Store Manager at Ramayana Mall Sesetan Denpasar. According to Ramschie, if it is implemented, the use of vaccine cards with a barcode system will at least make it easier for them to monitor visitors who come, because visitors can simply scan the vaccine card using their smartphone, so there is no need for many employees to supervise the process.
Context: On Tuesday we included this story about the Chair of the Bali Shopping Center Management Association (APPBI) saying that at a later date malls in Bali will display a QR code at entrances to be scanned by vaccinated visitors. The Manager of Level 21 Mall in Bali also said they are awaiting developments on the trial, and that if the government implements the policy in Bali malls, “then Level 21 Mall Bali is ready to follow."
More...
Nation: "Pregnant Women, Breastfeeding Mothers Urged to Get Vaccinated" from Antara
Klungkung: "People With Disabilities in Klungkung Vaccinated in Their Homes" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
"Conduct Random Tests, Bali Governor's Efforts to Control Community Activities During PPKM Level 4" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): The Governor of Bali held a meeting with the Pangdam IX/Udayana and Head of the Bali Police at the Governor's Office Jaya Sabha, Denpasar, Bali, on Monday, August 9. Wayan Koster explained several results of the meeting, namely intensifying and expanding tracing and testing of close contacts of people with Covid-19. "The close contacts that must be traced and tested are family, close contact neighbors, and places of work," said Koster. He also emphasized that he would hold Covid-19 testing at various centers to control community activities. "Testing will be conducted in crowded places such as markets, terminals, and shopping centers by a Joint Team led by Dandim, Police Chief, BPBD, and Regency/City Health Offices," he said.
More...
Nation: "Task Force Prepares Guidelines for 'Coexistence With Covid-19'" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "Daily Positive Covid-19 Cases in Bali Still Above 1,000, Prokes Must Be Disciplined" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "Of 27 Deaths Due to Covid-19, Most Do Not Have Comorbidities" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Potential to Generate Crowds, Public Facilities Supervised by Denpasar City Yustisi Team" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Badung: "Central Covid-19 Task Force Expert Team to Monitor Badung" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Staff Re-infected with Covid-19, Singaraja District Court Extends Lockdown" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
"More Than 15,000 Families in Klungkung Have Not Received Assistance" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): "The number has been collected and is not small, reaching 15,988 families," explained head of the Klungkung Community and Village Empowerment, Population Control and Family Planning Service, I Wayan SutejaWayan Suteja. The plan is that they will receive food packages from donations from the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) in the Klungkung Regency Government. Meanwhile, the Klungkung Regional Secretary Gede Putu Winastra added that the basic food packages to be given to the Klungkung community from ASN donations would contain 5 kg of rice and 250 grams of salt.
More...
Nation: "Anies Responds to Joe Biden's 'Jakarta is Sinking' Statement" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Nation: "Government Disburses Rp947 Billion Wage Subsidy" from Antara
Nation: "Indonesia Records Rp10.37 Trillion Trade Surplus With Switzerland" from Antara
Nation: "Legislator Optimistic of Successful Relocation of Capital City" from Antara
Badung: "1,288 Workers in Badung Dismissed, 42,409 Furloughed" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Theft of Ducks and Chickens Rises, Breeders in Gianyar Bali Restless" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Gilimanuk Area Will Be Redeveloped" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Low Tracing, Kaling/Kadus Deployed As Tracers" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): The tracing results in Denpasar City are currently still lower than the normal target required by the World Health Organization (WHO). The low tracing results have forced the Denpasar City Government to deploy Kaling/Kadus [village heads and neighborhood heads] throughout Denpasar City to become tracers. This was revealed by the Denpasar City Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson, I Dewa Gede Rai. "It's quite low because of the WHO requirements in tracing, one case should trace a minimum of 15-20 people. However, now only 5-10 people can be reached," he explained. According to Dewa Rai, this low range is due to various obstacles faced by tracers, namely the number of tracers. Previously, tracers who only used a team of 60 health centers for the entire city of Denpasar were overwhelmed by the high increase in cases. In addition, the problem is also on the people who are being traced. Those who had been detected in close contact with people who were confirmed positive admitted that they had never had contact or communicated with people who had tested positive.
"How to Manage Vaccination Certificates That Have Not Been Issued" from IDN Times Bali (Indonesian): Many people have complained that vaccination certificates have not been issued to the PeduliLindungi application even though they have been vaccinated. On the one hand, vaccination certificates are now required as a condition for some community mobility activities. In response to the complaint, the Indonesian Ministry of Health via the Instagram account @kemenkes_ri provides ways to get a vaccination certificate. The public can simply send their complaints via email to certificate@pedulilindungi.id. [Read the full article for all information required to lodge a complaint.]
"Fire at Bung Karno's Oldest Hotel in Bali" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Allegedly due to an electric short circuit, there was a fire at the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel on Jalan Hangtuah, Sanur, South Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday. The fire occurred on the ground floor of the hotel, in the employee dining room. Head of Public Relations Sub-Division of Denpasar Police, Iptu I Ketut Sukadi, confirmed the incident. He explained that the fire at the first and oldest five-star hotel in Bali was first known from witness I Gusti Ngurah Astika. The witness, who is an employee of the housekeeping division, was surprised when he walked past the employee's dining room. “At that time, witnesses and hotel employees immediately put out the fire. The fire went out after about 15 minutes," said Iptu Sukadi. The hotel then contacted the Denpasar City BPBD officers and the Denpasar City Fire Department to check to make sure the hotspots were completely extinguished.
Of Interest
"Govt Has Yet to Recognize Customary Villages in Indonesia: Minister" from Antara
"Remnants of War Era Found in Citizen's Garden" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Turtle Lovers Release 77 Hatchlings at Labuhan Jelung Beach" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
"Piodalan Rambut Sedana, Here's What it Means in Balinese Hinduism" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
"Viral White-haired Ape in Uluwatu, LIPI Speaks Up" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
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 with Bali Solidarity. If you know of an effort and would like to have them listed, please send their information to TheBaliBeat@outlanders.global.
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