August 23, 2021
Bali's active Covid-19 cases decrease + Bali bombing terror group planned fresh attack during Independence Day + Denpasar malls trial vaccination certificate requirement + 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
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers, which includes a look back at last week’s overall totals and an update on the island’s vaccination program.
The Big News
"Active Cases of Covid-19 in Bali Have Decreased" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Since the Java-Bali PPKM Coordinator who is also Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan came to Bali on August 12, 2021 and told Governor Wayan Koster to reduce cases in one week, active cases have continued to decline. Secretary of the Bali Covid-19 Task Force, I Made Rentin, said that from Monday, August 16, 2021 to August 20, 2021, active cases in Bali Province continued to decline from 11,303 active cases to 10,387 active cases. In fact, on August 21, 2021, active cases had fallen again to 9,982. The number of central isolation patients, which on August 16 amounted to 2,441 people, has now managed to reach 3,919 patients undergoing isoter, which automatically reduces the number of Independent Isolation (Isoman) patients. "To continue to encourage this good trend, the Bali Province Covid-19 Task Force continues to urge people who carry out independent isolation consciously to move to central isolation that have been prepared by the regional government so that the pandemic can be controlled more quickly," he said.
“Bali-bombing Terror Group Planned Fresh Attack During Independence Day” from Agency France-Presse: The extremist group behind the Bali bombings was planning a fresh attack during Indonesia's independence day celebrations this week. The National Police counter-terrorism squad Densus 88 rounded up 53 suspected extremists in nearly a dozen provinces across the nation over the past week. Some suspects admitted that their organisation Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) — a terror outfit behind the 2002 Bali bombings — had been planning an attack during the independence day holiday earlier this week, they said. National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono did not elaborate on the alleged plot but said police seized weapons and ammunition from the suspects, who were initially arrested on charges linked to fundraising for the group.
"Malls in Denpasar Implement Vaccine Certificate Requirement for Visitors" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): A Covid-19 vaccination certificate is an absolute requirement for mall visitors in Denpasar City, Bali. Residents can first download the Carelingungi application via their cellphone before shopping. Because before entering the mall, visitors are required to show proof that they have been vaccinated through the application. This requirement began to be applied earlier this week, both for visitors and mall employees. Management of Mall Level 21 Denpasar, Zenzen Guisi Halmis said, this requirement is currently still in the trial stage for employees and visitors to the mall. Many malls have implemented this requirement. "We hope that when the policy is ready, Level 21 Mall is ready," he said. For now, malls in Denpasar City have only opened essential sectors such as supermarkets, pharmacies, optometrists, and food and beverage outlets with a limit of 25% of normal capacity.
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Other Headlines
“Indonesia’s Daily Covid-19 Tally Returns to Pre-Delta Levels” from The Jakarta Globe: Indonesia recorded the lowest daily tally of Covid-19 cases in more than two months on Sunday, with figures returning to the level before the highly contagious Delta variant began to dominate new infections. The country has added 12,408 new cases in the past 24 hours, the lowest daily count since June 16, to take its total to 3,979,456. A steady decline in new cases over the last few weeks suggests that the partial lockdown reimposed since July 3 begins to deliver results. At its peak, the country recorded more than 56,000 new cases and over 2,000 deaths in a single day. There have been 1,030 Covid-19 deaths in the 24-hour period, bringing the total death toll to 126,372. The daily death toll has been above the 1,000 mark since July 16. The total number of active cases stands at 306,760, also the lowest in over a month.
Vaccination Update
“Foreigners Can Now Pay to Get Their Covid Jabs in Jakarta” from Coconuts Jakarta: All adult foreign nationals in Indonesia can now sign up to get their COVID jabs, with the Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) in Jakarta now accepting vaccine registrations for a date set next week. Kadin DKI Jakarta announced that they are facilitating a vaccination program on Tuesday, Aug. 24 for unvaccinated foreigners, which will use the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine procured under Indonesia’s Gotong Royong scheme. Under this program, foreign nationals must be at least 18 years old and able to provide documentation such as a Temporary Stay Permit (KITAS), Permanent Stay Permit (KITAP), Residence Certificate (SKTT), or a passport. In addition, they are expected to pay IDR700,000 (US$48.35) for two doses of the vaccine. The first dose will be rolled out at Jakarta City Hall.
Context: We are yet to see reports of the same paid vaccination service for foreigners in Bali.
More...
Province: "52.3% of Health Workers in Bali Have Received the Third Dose" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Dozens of Fishermen from Serangan-Bali Island Participate in Covid-19 Vaccination" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
"Covid-19 Close Contact Tracing in Bali Targets 8,000 People" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): The Bali government is intensifying Covid-19 tracing by increasing the number of antigen swab tests for close contacts from the original target of 4,000 people to 8,000 people per day. "In the past our target was around 4,000 people, hopefully the target of 8,000 people can be achieved," said Deputy Governor of Bali Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana. "Now it's around 5,000." To achieve the target of tracing and testing, an effort is made to pick up the ball around the residence of residents who are confirmed positive. The tracing officer then carried out an antigen swab to residents who had direct contact.
More...
Nation: “Has Indonesia’s Delta Peak Passed? Experts Say Not Yet” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “Military Involvement Necessary in Indonesia’s Covid-19 Response: President's Office” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “Anti-mask Indonesian Sentenced to Prison Assaults Judge in Court (Video)” from Coconuts Jakarta
Province: “Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport Has Imposed PCR Test Price Cap at Rp495,000” from Antara
Province: "Lion Air Group Offers Rp 285,000 RT-PCR Test Service in Bali Starting August 23, 2021" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "Melukat Rituals for the Public Abolished During PPKM" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "BNPB Distributes 500,000 Masks Throughout Bali" from IDN Times Bali (Indonesian)
Badung"Plans for Two Central Isolation Locations in South Kuta Canceled, One Additional Location Chosen in Kuta" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "At Mangusada Hospital, Covid-19 Patients Are 30 to 70 Years Old" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "During a Year, Pundukdawa Crematorium Cremated Hundreds of Bodies of Covid-19 Patients" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
"Jembrana Farmers Plant Cavendish Bananas To Develop Agricultural Economy" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): The need for bananas in Bali is indeed very high. In addition to consumption needs, bananas are also widely used for ceremonies. The large potential of the banana market can still be utilized by farmers. One type of banana that has a large market potential is the Cavendish banana. This type of banana has begun to be developed in Pekutatan. Head of Operations PT. NSA, Rahmat, said that Bali itself currently needs very high amounts of bananas, up to 4,000 boxes in a week, while only 1,000 boxes are produced a week. "So this is still very lacking, there is still huge potential for farmers, especially at this time of the pandemic, I think agriculture is one of the solutions to get the economy back on track," he explained. Rahmat also said that the banana harvesting process which has a very attractive color, texture and taste and looks like the Ambon banana is only carried out once a year during the first planting period. Furthermore, if it is fruitful again, harvesting can be done every month, even once a week. According to Rahmat, the harvest every Sunday can produce approximately 16 tons or 1,200 boxes.
More...
Nation: “Garuda Eyes 30% Cargo Growth After 'Great Drop' in Passenger Flights” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Province: "Balinese Organic Farmers Experience Excellent Technical Irrigation Benefits" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "4 Tourist Villages in Bali Enter Top 100 ADWI 2021" from Detik Travel (Indonesian)
Badung: "Watersport Entrepreneurs in Bali Lose Billions of Rupiah Affected by Pandemic" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Hundreds of Houses Affected by Disasters in Buleleng Rehabilitated This Year" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Kadisbud Denpasar Returns IDR 80 Million, Allegedly Corruption for Offerings" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Sustainable PPKM Response, Food Punks Choose to Share Basic Food" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Residents in Besakih Karangasem Area Begin to Experience to Drought" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Corn Prices Rise Again, Farmers in Tabanan Smile Again" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“Covid-19 Economic Woes Disproportionately Affect People With Disabilities” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall): While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost all parts of society, it has deeply impacted people with disabilities, many of whom have been dragged closer to the poverty line as the ongoing crisis severely reduces their income. Saidah, 45, and her 49-year-old husband Rochim, both of whom are visually impaired, are among those whose income has significantly declined due to COVID-19 as they worked as masseuses before the pandemic. As the pandemic led people to impose physical-distancing measures, Saidah and Rochim’s massage work fell off drastically, thus reducing their monthly income from around Rp 4.5 million (US$311) per month before the pandemic to less than Rp 1 million per month. With their income suffering a severe blow, Saidah said the family had struggled to make ends meet.
“Indonesia Evacuates Embassy Staff and Two Afghans From Kabul” from The Jakarta Globe: Indonesia has evacuated its 26 nationals including embassy staff from Kabul amid chaotic situation and political uncertainties after the Taliban return to power in Afghanistan following the departure of US military forces from the country, the foreign minister said on Friday. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has earlier announced the diplomatic mission in Afghanistan would be reduced to an “essential team”. It also underlines that Indonesia still hopes for an “Afghan-owned, Afghan-led political settlement” after the US government withdrew its troops from Afghanistan. "Peace and stability is no doubt what the Afghan people and the international community truly wish for," it says.
Of Interest
“Indonesia‘s ‘YouTube Village‘ Banks on Homegrown Video Stars” from Agence France-Presse
“Pandemic Street Art Becomes Latest Victim of Indonesia’s Illiberal Turn” from The Jakarta Post
“14 Jukung Races at Air Kuning Beach” from Bali Express (Indonesian)
"Traditional Music of the Archipelago Will Be Recorded by the Ministry of Education and Culture to Be Developed" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
"List of Balinese Traditional Ceremonies, Ngaben to Ngerupuk" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
"Balinese Traditional Clothing, Types of Clothing for Men and Women" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
"Badung Regency Government Receives Award for Handling and Recovering Victims of Terrorism" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Anti-mainstream, Kites Flying from Homes" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
“Australian Regional Town Becomes ‘Kampung Indonesia’” from The Jakarta Post
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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