February 9, 2022
Amid record-breaking Covid-19 cases, Governor confirms Omicron in Bali & links it to New Year’s + Melasti & Ogoh-ogoh parade await Feb. 14 evaluation + Bali a ‘kind of pilot scheme’ + more
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Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
The Big News
“Amid Record-breaking Covid-19 Cases, Governor Confirms Omicron in Bali, Links to New Year’s Holiday” from iNews Bali (Indonesian): Governor Wayan Koster said the Omicron variant of Covid-19 had spread in Bali, as Covid-19 cases broke another record. "I think the case that has emerged now is the Omicron variant of Covid-19," said Koster on Tuesday. He said the Omicron variant in Bali appeared three weeks ago, coinciding with the end of the New Year's holiday, on January 8. A week later, over the January 15-25 period, Covid-19 cases jumped to double-digit numbers, then from January 26, increased to triple digits. Currently it is into four-digits. "Because the development is very fast and seeing what is happening in several countries, including Jakarta, it is indeed the Omicron variant," he said.
Context: In related news, Denpasar has re-activated the Covid-19 Task Force at the banjar level.
“Melasti Ceremony & Ogoh-ogoh Parade Wait for February 14 Evaluation” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The implementation of the Melasti Ceremony and the ogoh-ogoh parade of the 1944 Nyepi Caka series of 2022 in Denpasar is still waiting for the PPKM evaluation because there has been an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases. Chairman of the Madya Desa Adat Council, AA Ketut Sudiana, said that his party was still referring to the previous Paruman decision, however, this will be flexible according to the evaluation and determination of the PPKM level in Denpasar after 14 February.
Context: There was considerable coverage of the immediate future of the Ogoh-ogoh parade overnight, with some suggesting Governor Koster had banned it (Indonesian), that no decision has yet been made (Indonesian), and others still, suggesting the go-ahead will depend on zone-status (Indonesian).
“Bali Reopening a ‘Kind of Pilot Scheme’, an Example of How to Live With the Disease” from South China Morning Post: Indonesia is sticking to its decision to open Bali to foreign tourists despite a spike in Covid-19 cases, saying the move will boost the national economy and set an example to the rest of the country in how to live with the disease. Nia Niscaya, deputy of marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, described Bali's reopening as a "kind of pilot scheme". Asked why the government had decided to allow direct international flights to Bali during the Omicron-driven third wave, Nia said: "We are living alongside Covid-19. We have to try this, while implementing very strict health protocols. If we wait for Covid-19 [to be eradicated], we will never know [when Bali can be reopened]. This is our effort to boost the national economy, we have to try first, then we can evaluate later."
Context: In related news, Indonesia’s Forex reserves have fallen to US$141.3 billion amid growing pressure on Bank of Indonesia to raise interest rates. Traditionally, inbound tourism to Bali is Indonesia’s second largest source of foreign reserves (after palm oil and before oil and gas).
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Other Headlines
“One Passenger on Narita-Bali Flight Tests Positive for Covid-19” from Detik (Indonesian): An Indonesian citizen on the direct plane flight from Narita, Japan, to Denpasar, Bali, tested positive for Corona. The positive Indonesian citizen was immediately quarantined. "On the 3rd (February 2022) someone came from Narita, Japan, the Garuda flight. There were only 12 passengers, 6 Indonesian citizens and 6 foreigners. One positive Indonesian citizen was immediately quarantined," said the Governor Wayan Koster, on Tuesday.
Vaccination Update
Nation: “Over 5.54 Million Indonesians Get Booster Shots” from Antara
Nation: “Over 132 Million Indonesians Fully Vaccinated Against Covid-19” from Antara
Nation: “Indonesia Highlights Global Vaccine Equality to Tackle Covid-19” from Antara
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“No Need to Implement Emergency PPKM Yet Says KSP” from Antara: Despite a significant spike in Omicron cases, there is no need for the government to pull the emergency brake to implement emergency public activity restrictions (PPKM) yet, the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) has said. "The latest weekly data shows that, despite the significant surge in case count, the hospital occupancy rate is still under control," KSP expert staff Abraham Wirotomo said on Tuesday. "Thus, pulling the emergency brake is not yet necessary," he said.
Context: In related news, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has asked for the raised PPKM level to be maintained for no more than a month in order to protect the economy.
More...
Nation: “Govt Training Centers to Serve as Isolation Sites” from Antara
Denpasar: “Denpasar COVID-19 Daily Cases Increase by 789” from Republika (Indonesian)
Denpasar: “Covid-19 Patients Treated at Sanglah Hospital Almost Double” from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: “Jembrana Covid-19 Task Force Intensify Prokes Discipline” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Karangasem: “Covid-19 Cases Skyrocket in Karangasem” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Bali's Economy Grows Only 0.07%, Tourism Sector Needs More Attention” from Kompas (Indonesian): Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto revealed that the tourism sector still needs more handling in 2022. This sector is one of the sectors most affected by Covid-19. For example, in Bali, economic growth during 2021 is only 0.07%, whereas usually, economic growth in Bali exceeds the national economic growth rate. "Those based on tourism such as Bali, the growth is still very small, namely 0.07%. This proves that the tourism sector needs more attention," said Airlangga on Tuesday. Overall, Indonesia's economic growth throughout 2021 reached 3.69%. "Our economy grew at 5.02% (in the fourth quarter of 2021), so that in 2021 on an annual basis it was 3.69%, this is in line with the estimate of 3.7%," said Airlangga.
More...
Nation: “Economics of Jakarta-Bandung Rail Project Increasingly Bleak” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “Regional Gov'ts Should Eradicate Mercury Use in Gold Mines Says Ministry” from Antara
Nation: “Indonesia Targets IDR 250 Trillion of Investment From G20 Presidency” from Antara
Nation: “Gov't Eyes Converting Fuel-based Motorcycles to Electric in 2022” from Antara
Badung: “IDR 14,000 Cooking Oil Starts Entering Badung Market” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
“Jetstar Delays the Return of Flights to Bali” from The Australian Financial Review (Metered Paywall): Jetstar has pushed back its first direct flights to Bali by two weeks due to the holiday island’s five-day quarantine rules. The first international flight in just under two years arrived in Bali on Thursday after Indonesia relaxed its border rules, but fully vaccinated international travellers are still required to quarantine for five days in a hotel. The airline had originally planned to resume flights from Sydney and Melbourne on March 1, but announced today it has delayed travel by a fortnight. “Due to the current entry and quarantine requirements of five days, we’ve postponed the launch of Bali flights to Monday, March 14 from Melbourne and Tuesday, March 15 from Sydney,” a spokeswoman said. “We will continue to monitor entry restrictions and look forward to flying into Bali when quarantine restrictions ease further.”
Context: In related news, Singapore Airlines has announced they plan to fly between Bali and Singapore daily from February 16 (Indonesian).
“Lombok Airport Starts Welcoming MotoGP Participants” from Antara: Racers, crew, and team officials participating in the pre-season test of the MotoGP event have started to arrive at Lombok International Airport, state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I (AP I) said. Two charter flights from Malaysia Airlines arrived on February 7, AP I President Director Faik Fahmi said on Tuesday. AP I has implemented a bubble scheme for handling the arrival of MotoGP participants to anticipate the spread of COVID-19, Fahmi said. Under the bubble scheme, MotoGP participants will be divided into different groups, and people at risk of COVID-19 exposure will be separated, he said. Interactions between groups or bubbles will be limited to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission, he said.
Context: In related news, the MotoGP includes at least 22 hotels and bubble participants are permitted to visit only one beach (Tanjung Aan) and no hanging out in cafes is allowed. Latest estimates suggest some 65,000 attendees are expected. Other reports covered three separate protests by local citizens who say the organisations behind the event have neglected local residents, particularly young people.
Of Interest
“6 Years Later, Crocodile in Indonesia Finally Free From Tire ‘Necklace’” from Coconuts Jakarta
“American Found Dead in Villa” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
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