Friday, February 19
Govt says country's entry protocols have caught 2k Covid cases + Ground transportation & logistics running at just 40% capacity + Pres. Widodo confirms private vaccinations to start in March + more!
Good morning! Welcome to The Bali Beat for Friday, February 19. If you’re not a subscriber, sign up here to get this update delivered directly to your Inbox every Monday-Friday morning, along with each evening’s Covid-19 update. If you are already a subscriber, thank you! Please be sure to share it with others in the island community by clicking the button below.
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Weather & Waves
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
*NOTE: The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a warning on the potential impact of heavy rain for flooding from Friday (19/2) at 07.00 WIB through Saturday (20/2) in Karangasem and Bangli
Today’s Tides
Surf Outlook
*NOTE: The Bali Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a high wave warning for February 18-19 in the area of The Bali Sea, with wave heights of 1.25 to 2.5 meters expected. The Bali Straight, including Badung Strait, southern Lombok Strait, southern Alas Strait and the southern Indian Ocean of NTB and Bali could see waves as high as 4 meters.
Weather forecast from Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
Tide table from Tide-forecast.com.
Surf outlook via Windy.com.
Local Covid Numbers
*NOTE: There was a slight downshift with the Covid numbers yesterday, but they're still historically high. The good news is that recoveries went back to outpacing new infections. The bad news is that deaths continue to mount at a record clip (163 month-to-date) and are now 24.4% above September's pace.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"In These 3 Entrances, Nearly 2 Thousand Cases of Covid-19 Were Found From International Travelers" from The Bali Post (Indonesian): From data from the Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P), Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), a total of nearly 2,000 cases were found from regulations regarding international or foreign travelers (PPLN). To be precise, 1,896 cases of COVID-19 were reported. The cases were found at 3 entrances to Indonesia, air and sea. A total of 1,163 cases of COVID-19 were examined from arrivals by air at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, 433 cases from sea routes in Surabaya and 300 cases from sea routes in Batam. At Soekarno-Hatta Airport, 822 people were netted at the time of the examination on the first day of arrival. Meanwhile, the next 324 people tested positive for inspection on the fifth day of the quarantine period after arriving in Indonesia.
Economy News
"Only 40% of Land Transportation Operates in Bali" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): Inter-city, inter-island buses and freight transportation operating in Bali are not more than 40%, this is due to the Covid-19 pandemic which limits people's mobility. "For example, there is a company in Bali that has a box car, usually sending 4-5 cars every day, now only one box departs," Ketut Eddy Dharma Putra, Chairman of the DPD Land Transportation Organization (Organda) of Bali Province. He also revealed, although last December there was an increase due to the Christmas and New Year Holidays. However, the PPKM policy which requires rapid antigen tests for land transport drivers has again caused a significant decrease in movement. "We still appreciate all the efforts made by the government, but please also take into account the economic side apart from the health of the people," said Deddy.
More...
"The Agricultural Sector Can Support Bali's Economy" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
"Government Expenditure in Bali Grew in 2020, the Remaining Components Fell" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
"Because Of Decreasing Flight Traffic, Ngurah Rai Airport Optimizes Operating Hours" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian): The hourly aircraft movements will be adjusted to 10-14 existing aircraft that can be optimized. Meanwhile, its capacity can serve 18 aircraft per hour. According to General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Branch, Herry A.Y. Sikado, this change in operating hours will start on Thursday (February 18) which operates for 13 hours, namely 07.00 – 20.00 Central Indonesia Time, previously 07.00 – 23.00 Central Indonesia Time or for 16 hours. This optimization, he said, can be extended or shortened according to flight traffic conditions.
>> Classifieds <<
Business is tough in the best of times, but these days- Wow. Thankfully, there’s a supportive spirit among the foreigners who remain in Bali; this newsletter is proof. If you’ve got a product or service that needs local support to succeed, let this community know about it here.
Other Headlines
"Teenage Girl in NTT Faces Life Imprisonment for Alleged Murder of Her Rapist" from Coconuts: A 15-year-old girl in Timor Tengah Selatan, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has been named a suspect for the alleged murder of a 48-year-old man. The teenage suspect told authorities she had acted in self-defense because the victim, who had raped her before, attempted to rape her again recently. The suspect, identified by her initials MS, and the victim, identified as NB, are reportedly cousins, with police saying that the latter had raped her at least once since May last year.
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"PPKM Mikro Has Been in Progress for a Week, the Formation of the GR Task Force in Badung Is Still in Progress" from The Bali Post (Indonesian): Village / kelurahan-based Community Activity Restriction (PPKM) in Badung Regency has been going on for more than a week. However, the formation of a Mutual Cooperation (GR) Task Force for Handling Covid-19 Based on Traditional Villages is still in process. According to I Gede Eka Sudarwitha, head of the Badung Culture Service, "On Monday, March 1, 2021, it is hoped that all villages or sub-districts in all districts have been formed. Badung, by submitting a decree to the Regent of Badung."
More...
Denpasar: "Prohibition of Activities in Public Spaces" from Antara (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Video of a Week PPKM Micro Scale in Denpasar with Minimal Violations" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "The Director of the Bali Police Distributed Hundreds of Masks to Motorcyclists" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "71 Entrepreneurs Violating Prokes, 1 Fined" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Disciplined By Citizens, Kodas Karangasem Install Dozens Of Sinks In Public Places And Places Of Worship" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "6 Violators of the Push up Disancsi Prokes" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Preventing Covid-19 in Places of Worship, TNI Install Dozens of Washbasins" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
Vaccination Update
"President Jokowi Says Companies Can Buy Vaccines for Employees in March" from Coconuts: With the second phase of the mass vaccination program now underway, the president said the independent vaccination can soon follow and run concurrently. “Hopefully in late February or early March 2021 at the latest, independent vaccinations can be launched,” President Jokowi said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta yesterday. “Companies that purchase vaccines [for the program] can administer free vaccinations to employees and their families,” Jokowi added, stressing that the private sector is not allowed to commercialize the vaccines.
More...
Denpasar: "More than 8,000 Teachers and Students Identified for Vaccination in Denpasar" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Gianyar Health Office Speeds Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution, 676 Doses Remaining" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Vaccination Achievements in New Tabanan 63%" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
"Not Even Two Months, Brigadier General Roycke Is Replaced" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): Having only served for 1 month and 13 days, Deputy Police Chief of Bali Brigadier General Roycke Harry Lange was replaced and transferred to become the Main Policy Analyst for General Criminal Affairs, Bareskrim Polri. His replacement for the National Police Academy alummi in 1990, Brigadier General Pol I Ketut Suardana. The replacement of Brigadier General Roycke followed up the Secret Telegram of the Chief of Police, General Police, Sigit Prabowo with number; ST / 318 / II / KEP / 2021, dated 18 February 2021.
"Abrasion Is Getting More Severe, These Are Abrasion Points That Need To Be Watched For in Buleleng" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The extreme weather that has hit the North Bali region in the last two months has had a serious impact on the condition of infrastructure in the coastal area. The Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUTR) of Buleleng noted that there were a thousand meters of wave-breaking cribs that were damaged due to being swept by the tidal waves. Based on the identification of the PUTR Buleleng Service, there are a number of points that were damaged. Like in the Lovina Beach area, Kalianget Village Beach in Seririt Subdistrict, Camplung Beach in Banyuasri Village and Kayubuntil area in Kampung Anyar Village.
"Doritos, Cheetos, and Lays Cease Sales and Production in Indonesia" from Indonesia Expat: Lays, Doritos, and Cheetos are expected to cease production in Indonesia starting in August 2021. The discontinuation of the much-loved snacks (Lays, Cheetos, Doritos) is due to the acquisition of PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk for PepsiCo, as an affiliate of Fritolay Netherlands Holding BV, which produces the three snacks in the country. The business deal was completed on Wednesday 17th February. Under the terms, the transaction will concurrently terminate the license agreement with PepsiCo after PT Indofood Fritolay Makmur completes their preparations to cease the production and sale of all PepsiCo products.
Of Interest
"Survey Shows Public's Satisfaction Toward Jokowi Reaches 70.1%" from Antara
"Bali Authorities Investigate Russian Influencer Posing Naked on Elephant Back" from Indonesia Expat
"Viral Riding an Elephant Without Clothes in Bali, Russian Model Apologizes" from The IDN Times (Indonesian)
"Amid the Pandemic, the Interest in Schooling Children to Higher Education Decreased" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
"Pandemic, Number of Divorces Decreasing" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
"Cat Café Sanur, a Unique Cafe That Wants to Save Street Cats" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
"One Album Released by 44 Labels. Is This the New Global Jukebox? from The New York Times (Metered Paywall)
The View from Outside
"Re-opening Bali for Business?" from Future Directions: Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister, Sandiaga Uno, is considering measures to welcome international visitors back to Bali. Those measures, which are reportedly in their ‘final stages’, will likely involve a COVID-free corridor from low-risk countries that have implemented vaccination programmes. Bali’s deputy governor has also proposed measures to the central government aimed at attracting Chinese tourists.
How You Can Help
In response to the collapse of the tourism sector in Bali and the resulting economic crisis, dozens of individuals and organizations have sprung into action, raising funds and distributing badly needed food and everyday essentials to the innumerable families who have suddenly found themselves without any source of income. We've been making an effort to document and raise awareness of these efforts. We will add information on projects in this space as we are able to confirm them. If you'd like to see a list of the efforts that we've featured so far and contribute to them with either time or money, visit our complete list here. You can also see a list of projects that have registered themselves at BaliSolidarity.org. If you know of an effort and would like to have them listed, please send their information to newsletter@migrationmedia.net.
About This Newsletter
This newsletter is a product of Migration Media, the hub for stories from and about the international migrant experience.
Our standards
We only include news items from established media sources
We do not share rumors.
We do not include opinion pieces or forecasts.
For all stories marked "Indonesian" I have used Google Translate to convert it from Bahasa. In most cases I try to polish the excerpt and/or write a short summary in proper English to help clarify the details.
For any questions, comments or tips, please contact us at newsletter@migrationmedia.net.