December 13, 2021
Under 12s will require a PCR test to travel Dec. 24-Jan. 2 + Berawa Beach buried under 400 tons of trash + Vaccinations for kids begin Dec. 24 + 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.
Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
Note: After a slight increase in the daily new cases in late November, the numbers are again trending down. At this point last year, December had accumulated 1,448 new cases, while this year the total is only 75.
The Big News
“Children Under 12 Years-old Require a PCR Test to Travel” from Berita Satu (Indonesian): Children under the age of 12 who want to vacation over Christmas and New Year’s in Java and Bali are now required to do a PCR test. These mandatory rules are contained in the Addendum to Circular Letter 24/2021 of the Covid-19 Handling Task Force concerning Regulation of Community Activities and Mobility During the 2021 Christmas Period and 2022 New Years During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 Pandemic Period. In point V of the rule, it is stated that long-distance travelers under the age of 12 years using all modes of transportation are required to show a negative RT-PCR result whose sample is taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours before departure as a travel requirement and is excluded from the requirement for a vaccination card. This rule takes effect from December 24, 2021 to January 2, 2022.
Context: The above story contains a detailed breakdown of the new regulations. As reported previously, those 18 and over are now required to be fully vaccinated to travel. Private cars, bus and urban train travel appear to be exempted.
“Berawa Beach Covered By 400 Tons of Garbage” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): A number of Badung beaches have been covered by garbage and on Saturday it was Berawa Beach's turn, which was invaded by garbage, dominated by wood waste and tree branches. The Head of the Management of Hygiene, Hazardous and Toxic Materials at the Badung Environment and Hygiene Service, I Putu Suantara, said the trash that was stranded from the eastern area of Canggu to the Batu Belig area reached 400 tons. DLHK Badung sent three heavy equipment trucks and 300 cleaners to clean up this shipment. "Until this afternoon there have been around 50 garbage truck loads cleaned. The volume is large, it may take up to two days," he said. In the past two weeks, the Badung LHK Service has cleaned up 796 tons of garbage from the entire coast.
Context: Both the media and social media were awash with photos of the state of the beach from Batu Belig west to Berawa and Batu Bolong, with a number of commentators stating it was the worst level of trash on the beach they had ever seen. Organizations running volunteer beach and river cleanups include Sungai Watch, Trash Hero and ZeroWaste Center.
“Covid-19 Vaccinations for Children to Start in Java, Bali From Dec. 24” from Tempo: The Ministry of Health will commence vaccinations for children aged 6 to 11 years in Java and Bali islands from December 24, 2021, an official has said. “We will start from Java-Bali and probably some additional districts outside Java and Bali,” spokesperson for COVID-19 vaccinations for the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said on Saturday. Vaccinations for children in the 6–11 age group can commence once a region has reached 70% first dose vaccination coverage and 60% elderly vaccination coverage, she said. Vaccinations for children would be administered in schools, health facilities, or vaccination centers, Tarmizi said.
Context: The Bali Health Office has advised 398,743 children aged 6 to 11 are targeted for vaccination (Indonesian). Another report put the total number of kids at 459,453 (Indonesian).
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Other Headlines
“Bali Nightclubs Prohibited From Bringing Artists on New Year's Eve” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): The Bali Provincial Civil Service Police Unit reminded nightclub business actors not to bring in artists to welcome the 2022 Christmas and New Year holidays. "There should be no special invites for guest artists to welcome Christmas and New Year this time," said Bali Provincial Satpol PP Head Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, on Sunday. In addition to asking not to bring in artists, Rai Dharmadi also reminded the limit on the number of visitors to a maximum of 75% of capacity and operational time or open a maximum of 01.00 WITA. "Firework parties are also not allowed to be held in restaurants, bars and nightclubs," he said.
Context: There are a number of stories noting particular closures, including Gianyar city square (Indonesian) and houses or worship (Indonesian).
Vaccination Update
“Booster Vaccinations to Commence on Jan 1” from Antara: Third dose vaccinations for the general public will begin on January 1, 2022, Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono has said. “Booster vaccinations will commence on January 1, 2022. Currently, we are preparing the strategy because booster vaccinations will multiply our vaccine needs,” he said on Friday. Two strategies are being prepared for administering booster vaccines to the general public: BPJS Health Contribution Assistance Recipients will be given the vaccines free of charge and non-PBI recipients will be given paid booster vaccinations.
Context: Don’t forget you can follow Bali’s vaccination progress on the Bali Beat Sunday evening email.
More...
Nation: “Indonesia Eyes 70% Vaccination Target by 2021-end” from Antara
Nation: “Indonesia Receives AstraZeneca and Pfizer Vaccines” from Kompas (Indonesian)
Province: “More Than 3 Million Balinese Have Been Fully Vaccinated” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Odd-Even Cannot Be Implemented Says Home Affairs Minister, Bali Police” from Bali Express (Indonesian): Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 66 of 2021 concerning the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 for the Christmas and New Year period, regulates odd-even visits to priority tourist attractions following the cancellation of PPKM Level 3. Interestingly, Bali as a leading tourist destination is predicted not to be able to implement it. This was conveyed by Wadirlantas Polda Bali, AKBP Bima Arya Viyasa on Sunday. He explained that the implementation of odd-even or blocking and other activities will be adjusted according to the Bali Governor's instructions.
More...
Badung: “Noisy Exhaust and Disobedience to Proces, Motorcycle Club Anniversary Disbanded” from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Denpasar: “There Are Still Denpasar Residents Who Don't Follow Health Protocols” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: “6,433 Prokes Offenders Netted in 2021, Thousands Fined” from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Garuda Enters Formal Restructuring After Ruling on Debt Petition” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall): Garuda Indonesia has entered a supervised debt restructuring process following a court decision on a debt petition filed by its information technology partner, but the airline has vowed operations would continue unchanged. The Central Jakarta District Court accepted on Thursday a petition for suspension of debt payment obligations filed by information technology company PT Mitra Buana Koorporindo against the flag carrier. The ruling initiates the first formal restructuring phase, called temporary PKPU, which can take up to 45 days. Depending on the outcome, this can lead to a second phase lasting up to 270 days.
More...
Nation: “Majority of Affluent Indonesians Plan to Retire Early” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “NTB Provincial Government Hopes F1 Can Be Held In 2024” from Republika (Indonesian)
Nation: “Household Incomes 78.9% Lower During Early Pandemic” from Antara
Education
“Jembrana Provides IDR 2.4 Billion Worth of Scholarships to 800 Students” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): The Jembrana Regency Government has distributed aid for outstanding students in their area. The assistance provided is the second phase in 2021, which was symbolically handed over by the Regent of Jembrana, I Nengah Tamba on Friday. The total scholarships awarded amounted to IDR 2.4 billion. The recipients totaled 800 students, receiving IDR 3 million each. In addition to outstanding students, scholarships were also awarded to six underprivileged students who are currently pursuing higher education for the D3 and hospitality levels, each amounting to Rp3 million.
More...
Nation: “Inundated Mataram Schools Begin to Operate Normally” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
“Domestic Travel Driving Tourism Industry in 2021” from Antara: Domestic travel has become a mainstay and travel trend in 2021, chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association, Didien Junaedi, said on Friday. According to Junaedi, the trend of domestic travel has been supported by the government, which is focusing on quality rather than quantity in the development of tourism destinations. "Thousands of people entered (Indonesia) through various events such as the World Superbike in Mandalika and G20 in Bali. This is a sign Indonesia's tourism development is starting to improve," he said.
Context: 153 tourist visas have been issued since mid October.
More...
“Melasti Beach Opens a Kecak Stage to Attract Tourists” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
“Garuda Indonesia Projects an Increase in Domestic Tourism by 2022” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
“Land Owned by Bali's Government is Seized by Other Parties” from Bali Bisnis (Indonesian): The Balinese government has begun to record and regulate the ownership of land assets spread throughout the district to the village level. Bali Governor Wayan Koster said there were a number of land assets belonging to the provincial government which were claimed by other parties. In addition, there are land assets belonging to the provincial government whose status is not yet clear. "We are starting to record, order, and map the assets, first whether the assets will be built for other infrastructure or not," he said on Thursday.
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Of Interest
“Gamelan Thief in Ubud Arrested, Faces 5 Years in Prison” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
“NTB Introduces Heritage Walk” from Republika (Indonesian)
“Sanur Will Be The Main Destination Destination in Bali” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
“20 Advertisements in Canggu Shortcut Area Removed” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
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How You Can Help Bali
Due to the collapse of the tourism sector in Bali, tens of thousands of families have found themselves with a greatly reduced income—if any. If you’d like to support organizations working to help those in need, you can see a list of some here.
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