December 1, 2021
Indonesia prioritizes pandemic protection over tourism + Vaccine certificate mandatory for domestic flights + Minister: Stop creating and spreading hoaxes + more
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Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
The Big News
“Indonesia Prioritizes Pandemic Over Tourism as Omicron Worries Swirl” from Nikkei Asia: Indonesia is prioritizing COVID-19 control over tourism in the short term by continuing with tougher quarantine rules than many of its neighbors, a senior minister said. Sandiaga Uno, the minister of tourism and the creative economy, said on Saturday it is "prudent" for Indonesia to keep imposing tight quarantine regulations, particularly as concerns swirl around the world over the omicron variant. In the post-pandemic era, Indonesia will look to make its tourism sector greener and more sustainable, Uno said. The move is partly driven by Indonesia's pledge to implement the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. "New and renewable energies, for instance, will be introduced in all tourism destinations, with carbon offset activities because people use a lot of carbon getting to destinations," the minister said. "They will be offered activities to offset that carbon ... such as mangrove [planting] obligations."
Context: On Monday, the Bali Task Force head linked Bali’s reopening to protecting the viability of the conferences planned for 2022 (Indonesian), but this is the first mention we’ve seen of post-Covid Indonesia and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You can learn more about the SDGs here. In other news the BRIN has some thoughts on 115 Indonesian islands “sinking” (Indonesian) due to climate change.
“Vaccine Certificate Mandatory for Domestic Travel” from Antara: A vaccine certificate and a negative COVID-19 test result will be compulsory for domestic travel during the Christmas and New Year holidays, Head of Health Handling at the COVID-19 Task Force Alexander Ginting said on Tuesday. The PCR test should be taken 3x24 hours and the rapid antigen test 1x24 hours prior to departure, he said. "Persons on long-distance personal trips from Java to Bali can use PCR or antigen test, and they must have received a vaccination," he said. Meanwhile, the regulation for odd-even vehicle plates will be implemented in agglomeration areas, provincial capitals, and tourist areas. In addition, the government will cap vehicle capacity at 50% for land, air, and sea transportation, Ginting said.
Context: Other media reports detailed further PPKM capacity restrictions, including weddings at 50% and public parks at 25%.
“Stop Creating and Spreading Hoaxes About Covid-19: Minister” from Antara: Communication and Information Technology Minister Johnny G. Plate appealed to people to stop creating and spreading hoax information on COVID-19 to enable Indonesia's pandemic control to run optimally. “Efforts to counter hoaxes pertaining to COVID-19 must be balanced with better public understanding. This requires preventive efforts from the community by not producing and not spreading hoaxes anymore," the minister said on Tuesday. The ministry has conducted routine cyber patrols in Indonesia's digital space to track and stop the spread of hoax information amid members of the public, including hoaxes on COVID-19. Facebook is still the most dominant means of spreading hoax information followed by other social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
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Other Headlines
“Passenger Arrivals at Ngurah Rai Decline” from Bali Post (Indonesian) Recently the number of domestic arrivals at Ngurah Rai Airport has touched tens of thousands of people a day. However, this number has experienced a downward trend below 10,000 people since Saturday. According to Ngurah Rai Airport, the number of domestic arrivals on November 24 reached 11,318 passengers. This increased on November 25 with 12,647 passengers and on November 26 with 13,661 passengers. However, the number of return arrivals fell on November 27 to 9,720 passengers. On November 28, the number decreased again to 9,289 passengers, and November 29 only 8,041 passengers. According to Stakeholder Relations Manager Angkasa Pura I, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, Taufan Yudhistira, the increase in passengers was due to relaxation of travel requirements using air transportation modes and also due to price adjustments for PCR and antigen tests. The decline was due to the PPKM Level 3 policy, especially during Christmas and New Year.
Context: Neither the story nor the airport spokesperson explain how a drop off in passenger in numbers in late November relates to regulations over the Christmas period.
Vaccination Update
“Protocols for Clinical Trials of Merah Putih Vaccine Enter Final Stage” from Antara: Protocols for the clinical trial of the Merah Putih vaccine have entered their final stage, head of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control, Penny K Lukito, has said. "BPOM has assisted the pre-clinical test and the vaccine will soon enter clinical trials," she said on Tuesday. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed BPOM to use various strategies to accelerate innovation and regulate clinical trials in the country, Lukito said. "What should have taken several years has been shortened while still prioritizing the aspects of quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical products," she said.
More...
Nation: “Moderna CEO Says Vaccines Likely Less Effective Against Omicron” from Reuters
Nation: “Children Must Complete Immunization Before Getting Covid-19 Jab” from Antara
Province: “120 Migrant Workers From Bali Refused Entry to Europe Due to Sinovac Vaccine” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Buleleng Regency Govt Employees Banned From Leave & Travel” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The government has banned all government employees from taking leave at the end of the year. Government officials are also prohibited from traveling outside the region. The ban was carried out to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases, which could potentially occur after the long Christmas and New Year holidays. All government officials are prohibited from taking leave from December 20, 2021 to January 2, 2022. Buleleng Regency Secretary Gede Suyasa said on Tuesday “All government officials must obey. This is part of an effort to prevent a spike in COVID-19. At the end of the year, no one will be on leave or traveling outside the region."
More...
Nation: “Lombok Task Force Prepares Isoters for Omicron Variants” from Republika (Indonesian)
Denpasar: “56 Prokes Violators Netted” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: “Padangbai Harbor Tightened Ahead of Christmas” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Eight Cooperatives in Bali Receive IDR 27 Billion Capital Loans” from Bali Bisnis (Indonesian): Eight cooperatives in Bali received assistance from the Revolving Fund Management Agency with a total fund received of IDR 27 billion. Head of the Cooperatives and SMEs Service I Wayan Mardiana said there were 33 cooperatives in Bali that applied for capital assistance to LPDB with applications ranging from 300 million to IDR 10 billion. However, of the 33 cooperatives, only eight have passed the acceptance of assistance ranging from IDR 10 billion to IDR 500 million. Although cooperatives in Bali have begun to take advantage of capital loan assistance from LPDB, Mardiana ensures that the overall condition of cooperatives in Bali is monitored to be healthy. However, he could not say with certainty the amount of non-performing loan of cooperatives in Bali, but it is certain that the average is below 5%.
More...
Nation: “Garuda Starts Vaccinated Travel Lane to Singapore” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Education
“Covid-19 Sampling in Denpasar Schools Almost Complete” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): With four schools left, the Covid-19 PCR sampling test carried out on students, teachers or school employees in Denpasar City has been almost completed. This was conveyed by the Head of the Denpasar City Health Office, Luh Putu Sri Armini, met on Tuesday. "There are only four schools left, 62 schools are about to finish, from PAUD/TK, SD, SMP, SMA levels," he said. Sri Armini said that the sampling process for the Covid-19 test had been carried out since early November 2021. The implementation involved each Puskesmas which happened to be in the area of the selected school to take part in the sampling. Health centers must also coordinate with schools regarding their readiness to carry out Covid-19 tests. "Depending on the readiness of each school, coordination with the Puskesmas," said Sri Armini.
Context: News yesterday noted 37 positive cases in Denpasar schools (Indonesian).
Bali Reopening
“Nusa Penida Starts Getting Crowded with Tourists” from Republika (Indonesian)
“Tourism Recovery Faces Setback Amid New Variant” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
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Of Interest
“‘Missing’ Rescued Dolphins Dead, Bali Authorities Say” from Coconuts Bali
“Ruling Against Journalist Sparks Concern Over Press Freedom” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
“Mt Rinjani Closed Until March 2022” from Antara
“Indonesia and the Papua Issue: Resolution Increasingly Unlikely” from The Diplomat
“Bali Mountain Residents Struggle for Clean Water” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
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How You Can Help Bali
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