February 16, 2022
Govt to address Bali’s waste problems before G20 + Nationwide Covid-19 cases hits a record high of over 57,000 + NTB readies 4,000 beds in anticipation of Omicron spike + more
Good morning!
Welcome to The Bali Beat for Wednesday, February 16. If you’re not a subscriber, please sign up here to have this newsletter emailed to your inbox every weekday morning, along with a Sunday evening summary of the past week’s Covid-19 and vaccination data. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!
Please be sure to share The Bali Beat with your friends, family and anyone else in the community by clicking the button below. If you’re on Twitter, you can follow us there @thebalibeat.
*A paid subscription is NOT required to access this newsletter.* If you would like to support our news gathering efforts, please consider making a donation of US$5/month by becoming a contributing subscriber via the link above. If you’d prefer to make a one-time donation — of any amount — please click here.
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
“Government to Address Bali's Waste Problems Before G20” from Antara: The government is committed to tackling waste problems in several regions in Bali, including Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan (Sarbagita), before Indonesia's G20 Summit. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan pressed to make unified efforts to improve waste management in Bali on account of the fact that the G20 summit was only nine months away. "This is an opportunity for Bali to be clean," he said on Tuesday. “To this end, support will be extended to the development of priority infrastructure, such as the three integrated waste treatment sites and nine waste treatment sites using the reduce, reuse, recycle (3R) method for Denpasar, though a temporary site as a substitute for Suwung is necessary until they become fully operational," he said.
“Record High of Over 57,000 New Covid-19 Cases in Indonesia” from CNA: Indonesia on Tuesday reported 57,049 new COVID-19 infections over a 24-hour period, the highest daily caseload since the pandemic began. The country also recorded 134 deaths and 26,747 recoveries, bringing the number of active cases to more than 400,000 nationwide. In the month of January, a total of 90,650 people were infected with COVID-19, figures from the Indonesian Health Ministry showed. This week, Indonesia surpassed this number in just two days. Tuesday’s figure was higher than the country’s previous record of 56,757 confirmed COVID-19 cases over a 24-hour period. The previous record was set on Jul 15, 2021. The government has decided not to impose the same level of activity restrictions as when Indonesia was hit with the Delta variant last year, citing the low number of deaths and hospitalisation recently.
“NTB Readies 4,000 Patient Beds to Face Omicron Spike” from Antara: The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) provincial government has readied nearly four thousand beds for COVID-19 patients as a precautionary measure against a spike in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of Omicron in the province. Head of the NTB Health Office Lalu Hamzi Fikri stated on Tuesday that his office had urged all hospitals in the province to increase the number of beds as a precautionary measure against the increasing number of cases of COVID-19. NTB recorded an increase in COVID-19 cases in all regions in the past week. Nevertheless, none of the patients needed intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, he noted. "There is an increase in daily cases, with most being due to comorbidities and have not been vaccinated," Fikri revealed.
Context: In related news, West Lombok, Mataram and Bima have all been upgraded to PPKM Level 3.
>> Classifieds <<
WTF is an NFT? Alternative Assets demystifies and explains the hottest unique investment ideas out there. Collectibles, NFTs, Wine, Websites, even LEGOs. They don't just track the markets, they smash the markets. Subscribe to Alternative Assets today.
TheFutureParty is a daily email on business, entertainment, and culture. It's everything you need and nothing you don't! Get insights and relevant takes on the most important news of the day that keep you informed & in the know on the hottest trends. Check it out here.
Founded after the 2017 Mount Agung eruptions, Yayasan Team Action Amed works with village leaders to provide aid to those in need. Check out their Instagram and Facebook pages, donate via their GoGetFunding page or PayPal, or visit their website for other options & to learn more.
Want to share your message with the most engaged members of the foreigner community in Bali? Click here to learn how to place a classified ad.
Other Headlines
“USA Adds Indonesia to List of Countries Not to Be Visited Due to Covid-19” from Suara Bali (Indonesian): Indonesia, South Korea, and Azerbaijan are on the list of countries that the United States has asked citizens not to visit because of the risks related to COVID-19. This was advised by the United States Department of State on Monday. The warnings to Indonesia, South Korea and Azerbaijan were labeled "Level 4: Don't Travel There." Overall, the CDC lists 140 countries and territories at the highest level of warning, including Canada, all of Europe, and nearly all of Latin America.
Context: A chart comparing daily new confirmed Covid cases (per capita) between the USA and Indonesia, can be seen here.
Vaccination Update
“Restart Vaccination if Not Fully Vaccinated for Over Six Months” from Antara: The Health Ministry has appealed to citizens, who have not received the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine for over six months, to restart the vaccination process. “It means that if he has been administered the first dose but did not receive the second dose for more than six months, then he has to restart by taking the first dose and then the second dose,” the ministry’s spokesperson, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said on Tuesday. Those who dropped out less than six months can receive the second dose through different platforms according to the availability in each region, the ministry’s public health secretary director general added. “Since the Sinovac vaccine currently being distributed is limited and targeted for children in the age bracket of 6-11 years, the drop outs can receive vaccine with different platforms,” she said.
Context: A related story stated in passing that Sinovac is can no longer be imported. This is a development we have not seen reported before, but no further details were supplied in the story.
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Government Witnesses Rising Trend in Covid-19 Deaths” from Antara: An upward trend in COVID-19 deaths was recorded despite the figure still being lower than that during the second COVID-19 wave, Government spokesperson for COVID-19 Handling Wiku Adisasmito stated on Tuesday. "This increase in COVID19-positive cases also has an impact on the death trend, which is currently rising. The good news is that the increase (in the number of deaths) in the third wave is much lower than that during the second wave," he said. Apart from the rise in the COVID-19 death trend, the bed occupancy rate (BOR) at hospitals also increased, although the rate is still lower than that during the previous wave. Currently, the BOR is recorded at 32.85%, while the highest record of BOR during the Delta variant spread was 77.32% occupancy.
More...
Nation: “Too Soon to Claim Omicron Reached Its Peak Says Epidemiologist” from Tempo
Nation: “620,784 Children Exposed to Covid-19 Says PPPA Minister” from Antara
Nation: “Jakarta Health Workers Start to Feel the Brunt of Omicron Surge” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Economy & Infrastructure
“FIM, Dorna, ITDC Agree to Re-asphalt Pertamina Mandalika Circuit” from Motorsport.com (Indonesian): The trial session at the Mandalika Circuit was held so that the team, especially the racers, could get data and experience before they competed in the Indonesian MotoGP next month. However, the first day of the test on Friday was temporarily suspended due to the dirty track surface. It was later revealed that the asphalt at the circuit had problems. Due to changes in the aggregate in the asphalt mixture, this has created a dangerous condition for the drivers. ITDC as the circuit owner has approved the FIM assessment and repair efforts are already underway, including the resurfacing of parts of the track.
Context: The story goes on to suggest the amount of resurfacing taking place is extensive. For reports on the track surface from the riders rather than the event organisers, this is a good starting point. In other news, spectators will be able to enjoy a 5G mobile network, while land disputes between local villagers and ITDC continue (Indonesian). In Bali, the Deputy Governor has claimed hotels in Bali are fully booked catering to the overflow from the MotoGP (Indonesian). He did not supply a source for these booking numbers.
More...
Nation: “Indonesia's Exports Plunge 14% in January” from Antara
Nation: “Ministry Asks Govt Agencies to Buy Domestic Products” from Antara:
Education
“Directly Transfer Fund Assistance to Schools Simplifies Bureaucracy” from Antara: Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati expects the school operational assistance (BOS) funds to be distributed directly to schools to demonstrate the government's efforts to simplify bureaucracy. "This budget is directly given to schools and should be enjoyed entirely by educators and students," Indrawati said on Tuesday. The minister noted that the Merdeka Belajar, or Freedom in Learning Program, supported by the state budget, should be managed accountably.
More...
Nation: “12 Schools in NTB Temporarily Closed Due to Covid-19” from Republika (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
“Bali Plea for Eased Rules to Lure Back Tourists” from China Daily: Bali early this month reopened to foreign tourists but the hard-hit hotel and travel operators are still waiting for more arrivals. They say mandatory quarantine is keeping out the sunseekers that used to flock in their millions to the island before the pandemic prompted border closures two years ago. Putu Winastra, chairman of the Association of the Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies in Bali, fears that things may not improve in the foreseeable future because vaccinated foreign tourists are being put off by the quarantine of at least five days in a designated hotel. "Bali's economy is bleeding. Many Balinese people have sold their assets to survive," Winastra said. Indonesia's plans for Bali illustrate the difficult balancing act that all countries have to deal with as the world enters the third year of the pandemic.
More...
“Singapore Airlines Scheduled to Land in Bali on Wednesday Afternoon” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
“Travel Association Optimistic Tourist Visits to Labuan Bajo Increase” from Republika (Indonesian)
Of Interest
“Indonesian Teacher Gets Life in Prison for Years of Raping Students” from The New York Times (Metered Paywall)
“Russian Influencer Fighting for Life After Jet Ski Accident in Bali” from New York Post
The Bali Beat welcomes submissions from any group or venue based on the island! For information on how you can include your event in this list, click here.
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.
*This newsletter is a product of Outlanders. To learn more about our editorial policies, click here. For any questions, comments or tips, please contact us at TheBaliBeat@outlanders.global.