February 2, 2022
Bali Police prepare app to track foreign tourists + Bali daily Covid cases surge to 715, dominated by domestic tourists + Task Force assessing reduction in length of quarantine for foreigners + more
Good morning!
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The link for the story in yesterday’s newsletter titled “There Should Be A Special Digital Nomad Visa of 3 Months to 1 Year” was incorrect. The correct link is here. Apologies for the error.
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: Yesterday’s 721 new cases represents a more than doubling of the previous day’s total and is the highest daily count since August 25 last year. In the single month of January, the number of people in treatment has risen from 63 on January 1 to 2,538 yesterday.
The Big News
“Bali Police Prepare App to Track Foreign Tourists” from Kumparan (Indonesian): Regarding the opening of international flights to Bali on February 4, Bali has carried out simulations for its preparation. One of them is related to the application Quarantine Precision initiated by Police Headquarters. "Where later foreign travelers will download the Precision Quarantine Application as a means of controlling," said Bali Police Chief Inspector General Putu Jayan Danu Putra on Monday. "For example, if the person concerned is quarantined in a hotel, our officers there can monitor it through the application," he said. He also said that the application was made to anticipate PPLN or foreign tourists who ran away while undergoing quarantine at the hotel and officers could immediately find them.
Context: No details were provided about the Quarantine Precision application, nor was it clarified if foreign tourists would be required to use it only for the quarantine period or the entirety of their stay. The existence of the app was previously reported in early January. A quick search of the Apple AppStore showed no results for an application called “Quarantine Precision”.
“Bali Daily Covid Cases Surge to 715, Dominated by Domestic Tourists” from Republika (Indonesian): Secretary of the Bali Province Covid-19 Handling Task Force Made Rentin conveyed that the surge in positive confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Bali in the last few days was dominated by domestic travellers. "Additional cases occurred after tracing and testing close contacts. It varies at several points, but is still dominated by domestic travelers," Rentin said on Tuesday. On Tuesday, additional daily Covid-19 cases in Bali Province were recorded as 715 people, 30 people were reported to have recovered and three people died from Covid-19. "They finished their activities in Bali, were about to go home, the results were positive," he said. According to Rentin, the Bali Province Covid-19 Handling Task Force has actually prepared a centralized isolation place at Bapelkesmas, but most of them choose in the hotel, even at their own expense.
“Task Force Assessing Reduction in Length of Quarantine for Foreigners” from Antara: The Indonesian COVID-19 Handling Task Force is evaluating the plan to cut short the quarantine period for foreign travelers arriving in Indonesia to five days. "We are preparing and reviewing the plan regarding the quarantine period," Head of Health Handling of the COVID-19 Task Force Alexander Ginting said on Tuesday. Ginting confirmed the government's plan to reduce the quarantine period for all PPLN, from seven days to five days. One of the considerations for reducing the quarantine period refers to the results of a global study conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which shows that the incubation period for the Omicron variant is shorter.
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The Movement of Recovery (Yayasan Pergerakan Pemulihan) is one of the main drivers of mental health services in Bali. Together with BBB Community, they launched LISA (Love Inside Suicide Awareness), a helpline which offers support in Bahasa Indonesian and English. They offer free counselling and support for those in need. For more information, please visit their website here.
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
“Antigen Test Waste Disposal in the Bali Strait a Mystery” from Detik (Indonesian): The disposal of antigen test waste that littered the Kapuran beach, Katapang Village, Banyuwangi, is a mystery, and several parties are investigating. The Banyuwangi Police and the Health Service sent a team to investigate the findings in the Bali Strait, considering that medical equipment includes B3 waste. "Once our team has received detailed information, it will be taken into consideration for further action," said Acting Head of the Banyuwangi District Health Office, Amir Hidayat on Tuesday.
Vaccination Update
Nation: “128 Million Indonesians Fully Immunized Against Covid-19” from Antara
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Prioritize Hospitals for Covid-19 Patients Truly Requiring Treatment” from Antara: Abraham Wirotomo, of the Presidential Staff Office, has urged the community to prioritize hospital treatment services for COVID-19 patients direly in need of treatment. Wirotomo conveyed the statement in response to data that indicated 44% of the COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment in hospitals in Jakarta are asymptomatic and those with mild symptoms. "As of January 30, data from 89 hospitals in Jakarta showed that 44% of the patients undergoing treatment in hospitals are asymptomatic and have mild symptoms," Wirotomo said on Tuesday. "If we want to get through this pandemic well, prioritize hospitals for those who truly need treatment," he said.
More...
Bangli: “Bangli Covid-19 Cases Increase” from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Jembrana: “More Residents Exposed to Covid-19 in Jembrana, Isoters in Baluk Village Full” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Indonesia Food Delivery Industry Grows 24%” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall): Indonesia’s market for food delivery services grew by 24.3% last year, according to a new report by venture capital firm Momentum Works. The country’s gross merchandise value in the food delivery market rose to US$4.6 billion last year from $3.7 billion in 2020. Thailand and Singapore followed with $4 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively. “COVID-19 social restrictions imposed in the second and third quarter last year due to the Delta variant have boosted food delivery growth in Southeast Asia,” Momentum Works CEO Jianggan Li said on Thursday.
More...
Nation: “Government Reopens Coal Exports After Month-long Ban” from Antara
Nation: “Cyber Security, Metaverse, Fintech Are Future Businesses says Tourism Minister” from Antara
Province: “Bali Monitors Cooking Oil Prices and Stocks” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Education
“33 Students and 19 Teachers in Buleleng Test Positive for Covid-19” from Suara Bali (Indonesian): The spread of Covid-19 in Buleleng seems to be showing a spike in cases. Recently, the medical team found indications of the transmission of the Covid-19 outbreak in the school environment, with 33 students and 19 teachers from 9 schools positively exposed to Covid-19. The head of the Buleleng Regency Education, Youth and Sports Agency, Made Astika, said that dozens of students and dozens of teachers who were confirmed to have Covid-19 were all undergoing isolation in a centralized location. The new cluster for the spread of Covid-19 was mostly found in schools in urban areas.
More...
Klungkung: “Positive Covid-19 Students in Klungkung Increase, Schools Still Hold PTM” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
“Three Airlines Propose International Bali Flights” from Tempo (Indonesian): Bali will again open to international flights from February 4. This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. "We will continue to do the opening in stages and continue," said Luhut. Manager of Ngurah Rai Airport, PT Angkasa Pura I, is preparing to welcome back the arrival of international passengers. Based on data from international flight plans as of 27 January, there are three airlines that have officially proposed routes and obtained permits, namely Garuda Indonesia for Narita-Bali on 2 February, Singapore Airlines for Singapore-Bali on 16 February, and Batik Air for Bali-Singapore.
Context: While the above is mostly yesterday’s news, this was the first mention we have seen of Batik Air among the carriers to commence international flights.
More...
“Bali Is Reopening but Confusion Keeps Tourists Away” from The Australian Financial Review (Paywall)
“A Number of Airlines Fly Back to Bali, APPMB Chairman Calls It a Momentum to Restart Tourism” from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
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Of Interest
“Muslim Groups Demand Closure of Newly Opened Holocaust Museum” from Benar News
“Labuan Bajo Waterfront Completed” from Bali Bisnis (Indonesian)
“Due to Flash Floods, Nusa Penida’s Coral Reefs Are Damaged” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“All Bars in Legian Must Turn Off Music on February 3” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“Allegedly American Woman Found Dead in Villa Bathroom” 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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