February 24, 2022
Covid-19 cases outside Java-Bali rise up to 300-fold + Electronic ticketing for some Bali streets in March + Kuta Beach and Art Market redevelopment, traders to be relocated + more
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Weather & Tides
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
Today’s Tides
Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
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Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
The Big News
“Covid-19 Cases Outside Java-Bali Rise up to 300-Fold” from Kompas (Indonesian): The spokesperson for the Covid-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito said the Covid-19 trend is increasing and beginning to shift from Java-Bali to elsewhere in the country. "Cases in these ten provinces rose 100-300-fold," Wiku said on Tuesday. Wiku said the ten provinces that are the largest contributors to Covid-19 cases include North Sumatra, South Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, South Sumatra, North Sulawesi, Lampung, Papua, Riau , South Kalimantan and West Sumatra. "These numbers are very high when compared to the cases in early January which were only about 40 cases," he said. Wiku also said that nine out of ten provinces experienced a 29-fold increase in the death rate due to Covid-19.
“Electronic Ticketing System For Bali in March” from Kompas (Indonesian): Bali Police Traffic Directorate will implement the system ticketed Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (FLESH) in a number of segments starting in early March 2022. In the early stages, as said by The Gakkum District Court, Kompol Rahmawati Ismail, the location is located in Simpang Buagan, precisely along Jalan Imam Bonjol to Jalan Teuku Umar. "It was planned for February 18, but it was pushed back," he said on Wednesday. Regarding the location, it was revealed that the second location of the electronic ticketing will be placed in the Nusa Dua area. With the start of the implementation of electronic ticketing, it is expected that all riders on the island of Bali will be more orderly and obedient to signs and traffic rules.
Context: This is the first we have heard about electronic ticketing being set up on the streets of Denpasar. The story does not explain how the ticket purchasing will work, nor the costs.
“Kuta Beach and Art Market Redevelopment, Traders to be Relocated” from Bali Post (Indonesian): Ahead of the start of the redevelopment of Kuta Beach, which is scheduled for next April, the Kuta Traditional Village has begun to disseminate information to the traders who sell there. According to the Bendesa Adat Kuta, I Wayan Wasista, his party has carried out socialization to all traders who sell on Kuta Beach. He admitted, in the socialization, the traders, especially those selling on Kuta Beach, all agreed with the rules that were made during the arrangement. Traders who sell by stands or tables will be temporarily suspended. “This March there was already a tender winner. So, if there are no obstacles, the work will begin in April, "he explained.
Context: Details on what the redevelopment will specifically entail remain limited.
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Other Headlines
“Former Deputy Governor of Bali, Sudikerta, Freed from Jail” from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian): Former Deputy Governor of Bali, I Ketut Sudikerta has been released from Kerobokan Jail. The head of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Bali, Jamaruli Manihuruk said Sudikerta was free along with four other citizens. "The grant of assimilation was given one of them to I Ketut Sudikerta former deputy governor of Bali," Jamaruli said on Wednesday. Sudikerta was sentenced to six years in prison for fraud and money laundering IDR 150 billion.
Context: Some background to Sudikerta’s case, which revolved mostly around land dealings in the Bukit Peninsula, can be found here, here and here.
Vaccination Update
“Merah Putih Trial to Run for a Year Says Researcher” from Antara: The participants of the Merah Putih vaccine’s clinical trial will be observed for one year, lead researcher for the clinical trial at Airlangga University Dominicus Husada said on Wednesday. The clinical trial of the Merah Putih COVID-19 vaccine is being conducted by many universities in Indonesia. Airlangga University conducted the trial on February 9, during which 90 people received the vaccine at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in Surabaya, Husada said. "Then, the next step is a one-year observation," he said. According to Husada, Phase 1 is aimed at testing the vaccine's safety. If the results are satisfactory, the trial will move to Phase 2 and Phase 3, he said. If the clinical trial goes smoothly and as scheduled, then Phase 3 is expected to be completed in 2023, he said.
More...
Nation: “President Jokowi Stresses Need for Worker Vaccinations” from Antara
Nation: “Government Urges 20 Provinces to Pursue Second Dose Vaccination Target” from Antara
Nation: “Gov't Reviewing Fourth Vaccination Rollout” from Antara
Nation: “Booster Vaccinations for Older Adults Need Be Expedited Says Police Chief” from Antara
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“IDR 186.6 Trillion Disbursed as Social Protection Assistance” from Antara: Indonesia has distributed social protection assistance of up to IDR 186.64 trillion to ease the burden on the community, including workers, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Joko Widodo has said. Social assistance covers assistance distributed under the family hope program and through staple food cards, direct cash assistance, and electricity subsidies, he said. The President said that social protection assistance must continue to be strengthened for workers. According to him, currently, 4.14 billion people, or 53.1% of the world's population do not have any social protection. "In Indonesia, social protection is an important part of the national economic recovery program, including the family hope program, staple food cards, direct cash assistance, and electricity subsidies," he said.
More...
Nation: “Children With Comorbidities at Higher Severe Covid Risk Says IDAI” from Antara
Nation: “USAID Donates Medical Equipment to Treat Covid, TBC Patients in Indonesia” from Tempo
Buleleng: “Melasti Series of Nyepi Holidays, Urged to Keep Prokes Strict” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Sandiaga Uno Claims Film Industry Contributes to Economic Recovery” from Tempo: The Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said on Tuesday the film industry has become a sector that has proved to absorb workers. “It has a multiplier effect to accelerate economic recovery and contribute to community empowerment and independence,” he said. He mentioned this after 215 films were registered at the Family Sunday Movie (FSM), a short film festival the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry initiated. Sandiaga Uno argues that a community will need at least 30 people to work on producing one movie, and with the number of short films submitted, the average people working to make movies in the FSM amount to 6,450.
More...
Nation: “Gov't Supports Sago Cultivation for Bolstering Food Security” from Antara
Nation: “Capital City Nusantara Is Not Only for Certain People: Moeldoko” from Antara
Nation: “2021 Economic Growth Bolstered by Renewable Energy Industry Says Minister” from Antara
Nation: “Indonesia Affirms Commitment to Monitoring Plastic Waste Problem” from Antara
Nation: “Indonesia Targets Trade Worth $20 Billion With South Korea” from Antara
Province: “Truck Drivers Demo in Gilimanuk” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Education
“Pandemic Hinders Autistic Children From Accessing Education Says Ministry” from Antara: Deputy of Child Protection at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Nahar affirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic had made it difficult for children with autism to enjoy their rights to education. Nahar attributed the difficult access to education to the implementation of online learning that most schools apply amid the pandemic. "Access to education for them is getting more difficult during the pandemic period, as most schools are implementing online learning without close physical interaction between teachers and students," he said. Nahar emphasized that children with autism have the right to proper education just like other children, as stated in the law.
Of Interest
“Elderly Australian Man Found Dead in Bali Villa” from Coconuts Bali
“How Island With Only 23,000 Rooms Will Fit 100,000 MotoGP Racing Fans” from South China Morning Post
“Jokowi Statue Riding a Motorcycle Arrives in Lombok” from Republika (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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