February 4, 2022
Face-to-face schooling suspended in Buleleng & Denpasar from today + Bali daily Covid-19 cases rise to 1,501 + Overseas travelers required to take a “warm up” package + Weekend reads + more
Good morning!
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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
“From Friday, Face-to-face Learning in Buleleng Suspended” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The Department of Education, Youth and Sports Buleleng decided to stop Limited Face-to-face Learning (PTMT) starting Friday. The decision was taken by Disdikpora Buleleng on Thursday afternoon. The sudden decision was taken, due to a significant increase in cases. "Starting tomorrow, PTM will be temporarily suspended. We have written to all educational units," said Head of Buleleng Disdikpora, Made Astika on Thursday evening. "We are also following the directions from the Governor. Whereas for the time being limited PTM is suspended until the situation is conducive. Especially now that there is a massive increase in cases," Astika said. In addition, Disdikpora requested that all sporting activities and extracurricular activities be temporarily suspended.
Context: In related news, all schools in Denpasar are moving to remote learning from Friday (today).
“New Bali Covid-19 Cases Reach 1,500 People” from Bali Post (Indonesian): On Thursday, Bali's additional COVID-19 cases jumped significantly, reaching 1,500 people. The number is almost double the previous day which was 771 people. In more bad news, deaths are still being reported and patients who have recovered are lower than new cases. According to data from the Bali COVID-19 Handling Task Force, the number of new cases reported was 1,501 people. Additional cases were reported by nine districts/cities. Denpasar reported the most additions reaching 369 people. Followed by Badung in second place with 354 people. The third order is residents outside Bali as many as 226 people. The next position, Tabanan reached 185 people. There were 111 people in Gianyar, 110 in Buleleng, 52 in Jembrana, 46 in Klungkung, 28 in Karangasem, and 20 in Bangli. Death increased by 1 person from Denpasar.
Context: See the education section below for announcements regarding school closures from Denpasar to Buleleng due to Covid-19 cases.
“Overseas Travelers to Bali Required to Take a Warm Up Vacation” from Antara Bali (Indonesian): The Deputy for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism, Nia Niscaya, said "We require Overseas Travelers (PPLN) to take part in the warm up vacation package and follow the applicable circulars" upon arrival. According to her, warming up vacation is different from quarantine. One of the differences is the hotel services provided, PPLN is not limited to only staying in the room, but more freely allows PPLN to move around the hotel. "These five hotels also have different public facilities between regular guests and warm up vacation guests, including swimming pool facilities, gym, dining room, and other facilities. To optimize warm up vacation services, hotel managers do not allow their employees to go home and they stay stay in the hotel," she said. At this initial stage, only five hotels, the Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua, Westin Resort, Griya Santrian, Viceroy, and Royal Tulip are ready in terms of facilities to disciplined health protocols.
Context: This is the first we have heard of a “warm up vacation”. A very limited selection of hotels on Bali have the facilities to be able to offer a stay in this manner and if this form of quarantine is to become the norm, it will effect the number of hotels able to offer quarantine (or “warm up”) packages, and the average cost of a quarantine package will increase significantly. Another report noted the six Japanese arrivals are having their warm up vacation at the Grand Hyatt Bali (Indonesian).
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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.
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Other Headlines
“12 Passengers from Japan Arrive at Ngurah Rai Airport” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport again serves regular international flights with the arrival of flights from Narita to Denpasar using Garuda Indonesia GA 881 Airbus 330 type aircraft on Thursday afternoon. Although the aircraft with a capacity of around 300 passengers only carried 12 passengers (6 Japanese citizens, 6 Indonesian citizens), the arrival of this international flight quenched thirst because since Ngurah Rai Airport was opened for international routes on October 14, 2021, this is the first time an international flight has landed.
Context: At least four of the six Japanese passengers have been reported to be travel agents in Bali for meetings (Indonesian). Garuda plan to fly the Narita to Bali route once a week (Indonesian).
Vaccination Update
“Mass Booster Vaccination at Denpasar Immigration Office Witnessed by Bali Police Chief” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): The Bali Police held a mass booster vaccination at the Immigration Office Class 1 TPI Denpasar, on Thursday. According to the schedule, this mass vaccination was held simultaneously in all Polda in Indonesia and was monitored directly by the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin through a zoom meeting. It was informed that this mass booster vaccination has an important role in Bali considering its readiness to welcome the arrival of foreign tourists.
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Indonesia Adds 27,000 New COVID-19 Cases; Jokowi Asks for PPKM Evaluation” from Tempo: President Joko Widodo announced that Indonesia’s number of daily COVID-19 cases continued to increase and reached 27,197 infections on February 3. He thus ordered Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as the Coordinator of Java Bali Public Mobility Restrictions or PPKM and Airlangga Hartarto as Coordinating Minister for Economy to respond to the soaring cases. “To immediately evaluate the PPKM level,” he said. He also asked regional heads, with the assistance of the Indonesian Military and the National Police, to ensure the public discipline in complying with the health protocols and accelerate vaccinations.
More...
Nation: “Officers Must Not Hesitate to Enforce Quarantine” from Antara
Nation: “Current Wave to Be Steeper Than Delta Surge” from Antara
Nation: “Task Force Justifies Use of PCR in Detecting Covid-19” from Tempo
Nation: “Jakarta’s Wisma Atlet Covid-19 Hospital Tops 5,000 Patients” from The Jakarta Globe
Economy & Infrastructure
“Government Extends Tax Incentives Until First Semester of 2022” from Antara: The Indonesian government has decided to extend tax incentives for COVID-19 pandemic-impacted taxpayers until the end of the first semester of 2022. "The tax incentives are expected to support certain sectors that need them, so that they will be able to expedite the national economic recovery," Director of Counseling, Services and Public Relations of the Taxation Directorate General at the Finance Ministry Neilmaldrin Noor said on Thursday. The extended tax incentives include income tax article 22-free facility for import of goods by 72 types of business undertakings, reduced instalments in income tax article 25 for 156 types of business undertakings and government-borne final income tax on construction services for taxpayers receiving an accelerated irrigation water improvement program (P3-TIGAI).
More...
Nation: “NTB Prepares 278 Free Buses for MotoGP Spectators” from Antara
Nation: “Economic Growth to Reach 4.6% in 2022” from Antara
Nation: “Work on Future Capital to Start in Second Half of Year” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “Indonesia's Halal Export Potential Reaches US$3.6 Billion” from Antara
Education
Nation: “Jakarta to Re-enforce 50% Face-to-face Learning Starting Feb. 4” from Tempo
Bali Reopening
“Bali Council: All Foreigners Should Quarantine in Bali, not Jakarta” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): The opening of international flights to Bali was welcomed by many parties, one of which was the Bali Provincial DPRD. Chairman of Commission II DPRD Bali, Ida Gde Komang Kresna Budi said that his party welcomed the policy. "Our hope is that in Commission II, all of them are quarantined in Jakarta. Now all international flights are to be diverted to Ngurah Rai Airport, and all of them are quarantined in Bali," said Kresna Budi on Wednesday. "We hope that the President will focus on Bali first, because Bali is the one who suffers the most. Reportedly, only two of them have gone directly to Bali, if possible, everyone should go to Bali first," he said.
More...
“Hotel Occupancy Rate Drops Again” from Bali Post (Indonesian)
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Weekend Reads
“Amed-Seraya, a Unique Coastal Duo at the Eastern End of Bali” from Mongabay
“How Bali’s Chinese Were Accepted and Integrated Into Island Society” from South China Morning Post
“In Indonesia, A Tale of Resilience” from IFC
Of Interest
“Three Green Turtle Smuggling Suspects Threatened With 5 Years” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“Illegal Trade of 11,000 Birds From NTB Thwarted” from Bali Business (Indonesian)
“Arrested, Ukrainian Reported for Persecution in North Kuta Denies Allegations” from Suara 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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