December 7, 2021
Torrential rain brings massive flooding to Bali & Lombok + Kuta Beach traders allegedly extorting tourists + All New Year's celebrations banned + 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
The Big News
“Floods in Tourist Village, PSI Criticizes Badung Regent, Bali” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The Bali Indonesian Solidarity Party was seen at the flood site on Jalan Dewi Sri in Kuta on Monday. "We received information from the public that this area is isolated, because of the rain, the water reaches one meter," said I Nengah Yasa Adi Susanto, chairman of PSI Bali DPW. Adi also highlighted the performance of the Regent of Badung, Nyoman Giri Prasta, who was considered less focused in leading his region, especially the southern part of Badung. "I suggest to the Regent of Badung to also focus on Kuta and Nusa Dua. This is the largest PAD-producing area in Badung, who will want to come here later?" he said. "The Badung Regency Government should focus more here (South Badung). More seriously in taking care of the Kuta, Seminyak and other areas. Not only focusing on North Badung," he said.
Context: In related news, the Center for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Region III Denpasar warned of flooding potential due to the new moon through to December 9. Media also covered a trapped child in Legian (Indonesian), building collapses in North Bali (Indonesian), road slides in Karangasem (Indonesian) and flight delays at the airport (Indonesian). Lombok was also lashed by yesterday’s storm and media covered severe flooding including flooded schools (Indonesian) and tourists checking out of a flooded hotel in Senggigi (Indonesian).
“Unscrupulous Kuta Beach Traders Allegedly Extorting Tourists” from Bali Express (Indonesian): Several unscrupulous traders are suspected of extorting money on Kuta Beach. The reason is when offering massages some individuals ask for unreasonable rewards. Knowing this, the Head of the Kuta Beach Task Force, Wayan Sirna, said he had taken follow-up steps. All traders are gathered, to be given understanding and confirmation. "We collected them last Saturday. We emphasize to them to provide good service, and not to cause discomfort," said Sirna on Monday. According to him, the coercion carried out by traders is a result of the lack of tourists. So he gave an example of traders who usually sell cloth offering other services. "We also ask the merchants to return to the specificity of their respective services. No longer offers services, beyond their specialty. In addition, we also ask the location of their service not to leave their respective zones, "he said.
“All Tourist Sites Barred from Holding New Year Celebrations” from Tempo: Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said the government barred tourist destinations from holding New Year celebrations through a circular on business and tourist sites activities during the 2021 Christmas and 2022 New Year celebrations. “All business places or tourist destinations are prohibited from holding New Year celebratory events in closed areas or open areas, including parades, firecrackers, and fireworks parties,” said Sandiaga on Monday. Restaurants, cafes, bars, and the like are allowed to operate until 9 pm local time with a maximum capacity of 50%. The time for dine-in is also limited to no longer than 60 minutes. Night entertainment venues may operate until midnight local time with a maximum capacity of 25% and a maximum dine-in time of 60 minutes.
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Other Headlines
“Experts Surprised By Scale of Semeru Eruption” from Tempo: The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s Head of Geological Agency, Eko Budi Lelono, on Sunday said the scale of hot clouds following the eruption of Mount Semeru were much larger than expected and suspects high rainfall contributed. He believes the high rain intensity also contributed to the large volume of hot clouds and pledged to mitigate future natural disasters better. “We identified the hot clouds and eruption, which is typical of Semeru, but yesterday’s event left many questions unanswered, there may be other factors,” said Eko on Sunday. He also warned people to rely on information from reliable sources such as government disaster mitigation agencies.
Context: The death toll from the eruption currently stands at 14, with over 5,000 residents affected and 1,300 in refugee camps (Indonesian).
Vaccination Update
“Bali to Map Unvaccinated Older Adults” from Antara: The Bali Provincial Health Office has asked the city and district governments to map older adults who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 up to the village level. "COVID-19 vaccinations for older adults have not been completed yet, even though it (the coverage) is above 60% now," head of the Bali Provincial Health Office, Dr. Ketut Suarjaya, said on Monday. Hopefully, COVID-19 vaccinations among older adults would reach at least 80% since they have been categorized as a vulnerable group, he said. "There are still those who are not vaccinated yet in villages, especially in Gianyar, Bangli, and Buleleng districts," Suarjaya said.
More...
Nation: “Indonesia Receives Additional 1.9 Million Doses of Astrazeneca” from Antara
Nation: “Indonesia Pushing Immunization of Vulnerable Groups, Children” from Antara
Nation: “Vaccination level in nine provinces below 50%” from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“PPKM to Be Extended Outside Java-Bali From December 7-23” from Antara: The government has decided to extend PPKM Levels 1-3 outside Java-Bali from December 7 to December 23, 2021. "Outside Java-Bali regions, in particular, there will be an extension of community activity restrictions from December 7 to December 23, 2021," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said on Monday. Level 1 PPKM will be implemented in 129 districts and cities, he said. This is an increase compared to the previous period, when the restriction level covered 51 districts and cities, he said. Meanwhile, Level 2 PPKM will be implemented in 193 districts and cities compared to 175 districts and cities earlier, and Level 3 PPKM will be applied in 64 districts and cities compared to 160 earlier.
Context: Twelve regions in Java-Bali remain at PPKM Level 3 (Indonesian).
More...
Nation: “Indonesia Among Five Countries to Have Successfully Handled Pandemic” from Antara
Province: “Sanglah Hospital Upgrades Facilities in Anticipation of Omicron” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Bali and Labuan Bajo Become Alternatives to Stay for Mandalika MotoGP” from Bali Bisnis (Indonesian): The limited hotel accommodations in West Nusa Tenggara have made Bali and Labuhan Bajo alternative places to stay for MotoGP 2022 guests. The limited number of accommodations in NTB is predicted not to be able to accommodate 200,000 spectators during the MotoGP race. According to the number of star hotels in NTB, there are only 90 hotels and 1150 non-star hotels. The Head of BI NTB Representative Heru Saptaji explained that there was a need for synergy with Bali and NTT to meet the limited accommodations in NTB. "After we assessed the number of hotels in NTB did not meet the requirements, so we need synergy with Bali and NTT as alternative places for guests to stay," said Heru on Monday. "Investment for hotels cannot be done in a short time, it takes time to build hotels, so synergies must be carried out with neighbors such as Bali and Labuhan Bajo," said Heru.
More...
Province: “Chili Prices Skyrocket to IDR 60,000/kg Due to Rain” from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
“Restore Bali Tourism, Vice President: Ensure Covid is Under Control” from Republika (Indonesian): Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said the central government together with the Bali Provincial Government will continue to ensure that the Covid-19 case in Bali is under control. "First we make sure that Covid-19 is under control, we are optimistic that it has been proven now, it has gone very slowly. Since the vaccination is almost 100%," said the Vice President on Sunday. The vice president said the strategy being carried out was to continue to control Covid-19 cases through increasing Covid-19 vaccinations and implementing disciplined health protocols. The Vice President is optimistic that at this time hotels in Bali are starting to be visited by domestic tourists again. "We are sure that this new year, according to the Governor's report, the hotels are full, even the five-star hotels are full, that's just from domestic tourists," he said.
Context: This is the first report we’ve seen suggesting Bali’s five-star hotels are at capacity over the New Year. Other media reports quoted the chairman of the Gianyar PHRI as questioning the validity of the statement (Indonesian) and the Badung PHRI stating hotel occupancy was at 35% (Indonesian). 153 tourist visas have been issued since the reopening of Bali’s airport in mid-October.
More...
“Menparekraf Ensures Hotels for G20 Bali Are CHSE Certified” from Republika (Indonesian)
“When the Biggest Spenders Aren’t Coming Back Any Time Soon” from The New York Times (Metered Paywall)
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Of Interest
“Indonesian Prosecutors Seek First-Ever Death Sentence in Graft Trial” from The Jakarta Globe
“Indonesia Should Be Trailblazer Rather Than Follower: President Jokowi” from Antara
“Indonesia Does Not Invite Myanmar to Bali Democracy Forum” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
“Super Air Jet Plane Returns to Soekarno-Hatta Shortly After Takeoff” from Tempo
“Dutch Man Goes on Rampage, Smashes Window, Arrested” from IDN Times Bali (Indonesian)
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