Friday, July 24
Guv disbands Covid-19 Task Force, replaces it with economic recovery Task Force + Buleleng to stop swab tests without doctor's referral & will allow mild cases to self-isolate + more!
Good morning! Welcome to the COVID-19 Update for Bali for Friday, July 24. Please subscribe and share it with others in the foreigner community on the island. I happily put this daily newsletter together as a public service, and it will be free so long as the current emergency lasts. *A paid subscription is NOT required to access this content.* When signing up, select the "None" option and you'll get it delivered to your Inbox each day. If you would like to support my work, please consider making a voluntary contribution of US$5/month. Supporters receive an early update on the government’s daily infection & recovery numbers each night within an hour or so of their announcement… plus my enduring gratitude!
Status Update
National Numbers:
Bali Numbers:
Regency Numbers:
Confirmed Cases Distribution:
Key: Red = Infected | Green = Recovered | Black = Died
30-Day Trends:
More details on the locations of positive cases within each Regency, as well as the number of suspected cases ("ODP") and people under in-patient observation ("PDP"), can be found in charts & infographics on the websites of each Regency's Covid-19 Task Force:
Badung | Bangli | Buleleng | Denpasar City | Gianyar | Jembrana | Karangasem | Klungkung | Tabanan
Sources:
The national update comes from the Indonesia National Disaster Management Agency: @BNPB_Indonesia
The Bali Numbers infographic comes from the Bali Provincial Government COVID-19 Task Force (link).
The Confirmed Cases Distribution map & Regency Numbers figures come from the Bali Provincial Government's data collection department (link).
NOTE: While the national government includes daily testing totals in its infographic, Bali’s provincial government does not routinely release this data, so it is not included.
The Big News
IMMIGRATION ALERT: I am aware of the draft Circular that has been publicized on foreigner-facing websites & in social media forums. As per Indonesian law, draft letters such as this that have not been stamped or appeared on any official channels, either on the Immigration website or on official social media accounts, are not final- or even legal. As of press time, official publication has not yet happened- nor has notice of it appeared in any local media. Please keep in mind that since it is merely a(n alleged) draft, Immigration officials are not supposed to be able to act upon its directives and all details spelled out are subject to change until released through imigrasi.go.id or other government sources. I will continue to monitor local media + official channels for more information and will post news of the final document here once it’s available. In the meantime, you can check for updates during the day by following Immigration on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
"In Buleleng, Swab Test Is No Longer Required for All Covid-19 Cases and Asymptomatic Cases Can Self-Isolate" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Buleleng's Covid-19 Task Force will change the swab sample test protocol for patients suspected of being infected with the virus. Initially, swab tests were carried out on all patients included in the suspect category. Now, the decision to implement a swab will be determined by a clinical diagnosis by the patient's physician... In addition, confirmed cases that are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, will no longer be hospitalized. Instead, patients can go through self-isolation in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, carried out at home.
"GTPP Disbanded, Koster Affirms Fight to Overcome Covid-19" from Bali Express (Indonesian): The Provincial Government of Bali will immediately dissolve the Covid-19 Acceleration of Task Force (GTPP). It will be replaced by the Task Force for the Acceleration of Economic Recovery in the Province of Bali, which was actually formed several months ago, chaired by the Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati... "After a few weeks, the Central Government established Covid-19 emergency conditions. Then, the GTPP was formed. So the Bali Provincial Government adjusted it. From a ‘task force’ to the GTPP. Now that's out. But only the name changes, because the pandemic is still ongoing," said Koster. The difference is, the task force that will be formed is not only handling the prevention and control of Covid-19 alone, but economic recovery efforts due to the pandemic.
"No Mask, This is the Penalty" from The Bali Post (Indonesian): As the number of Cobid-19 cases continue to skyrocket, Denpasar Police will vigorously enforce health protocols, even issuing sanctions to residents who fail to follow them... Oka karang, Secretary of Sumetra Kelod Village, said that if there are recalcitrant residents who do not wear masks, he hopes they will be sanctioned by hanging boards or a paper that reads, "Today I violated health protocols by not wearing a mask; don't copy me." The goal is that those who are stubborn will feel embarrassed and not repeat their actions.
Other Headlines
"Koster Claims Bali Arak Herb Quickly Cures COVID-19 Patients" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): "People who are infected with COVID-19, we do this treatment with usada. The material is from Balinese wine," he explained. Koster claims that nearly 80% of patients recover with this treatment... Koster also claimed that through this method, many patients could be cured. The time needed for this healing process is quite short. "If the new one gets positive, this treatment is done in two days, on the third day the negative charge and recover. We will return it. Now this has reached 400 in total. So many have recovered," he said.
(Ed. Note: An important clarification is necessary, as there have been no scientific studies of the effect of Arak on Covid-19 patients. This is a highly potent spirit and there is zero clinical research on its supposed curative properties. It's basically just one step removed from advising people to drink disinfectant. I have included this news item for two reasons: 1) It is important to be informed of what the local population is being told by their elected leaders, and 2) it marks a departure from the governor’s usually sober, science-based, realistic rhetoric. I am not knowledgeable enough in Indonesian or Balinese politics to be able to make an educated political analysis, but this shift, coupled with the drive to reopen the island’s tourist industry feels dangerous- especially in light of the doubling of confirmed cases & tripling of deaths in the last 3 weeks. Local government could be laying the groundwork for a policy of denial or "giving up" on containing the virus. At the very least, it spreads false hope.)
"With Covid-19 Not Yet Passed, Bali PP Personnel Pulled from Gilimanuk" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Bali Province Satpol PP personnel assigned to assist in port security because of the Covid-19 pandemic have been withdrawn from Gilimanuk Port. Accordng to I Made Leo Agus Jaya, Jembrana PP Kasatpol, the withdrawal of personnel from the Bali Province Satpol PP did not reduce the level of security at the entrance of Bali. Jembrana PP Satpol hopes that the security of the Gilimanuk Port will not only be covered by Satembol PP Jembrana personnel, but also personnel from Satpol PP throughout Bali. The combined personnel on duty such as Satpol PP Jembrana were 21 people divided into three shifts while keeping Bali's entrance tight. "Security remains as strict as usual," he said.
"Governor Koster: Foreign Tourists to Bali Must Bring Negative Covid-19 Results" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): "For foreign tourists, according to the circular the Minister of Transportation must show a certificate of negative test results and is valid for up to two weeks," Koster said. Koster said the plan to open Bali tourism for foreign tourists was the third stage of implementing tourism entering a new normal adaptation. Bali is currently in the first phase, where the economic activities of the Balinese people, especially in the tourism sector began to be excited again after it opened on July 9, 2020.
"From Bali's Top to Tail, Jamin Heppell Ran 90 Kilometres in Just 12 Hours to Help Struggling Kids" from ABC: What initially started as a personal goal was quickly transformed into a charity run. Inspired by an enigmatic 58-year old French man running the Mont Blanc 90km stretch, Heppell decided that it was finally his year to do an ultramarathon. "I made a commitment to myself — I said regardless of what happens to that event, I'm going to do 90 kilometres on that weekend, no matter where I am in the world," he said... "After about a month being in Bali and recognising the economic devastation that the whole COVID thing had caused because of a lack of tourism, I thought I wanted to turn it into a fundraiser because I've been so privileged and so well taken care of while I've been here."
The View from Outside
"Rampant Virus Won’t Deter Bali’s Plan to Welcome Back Tourists" from Bloomberg: Indonesians can visit Bali’s beaches, temples and popular surfing spots from July 31 while international tourists will be allowed from Sept 11, the island’s Governor Wayan Koster said at an online seminar. Authorities will speed up efforts to control the Covid-19 outbreak before the sector is reopened, he said. “To bring tourists back, we have to provide a sense of comfort that Bali is able to control the Covid-19 problem well,” Koster said Wednesday. “Once we get this under control, I’m confident that tourists will come back soon. People are eager to return.”... The number of confirmed cases in Bali nearly doubled to 2,934 this month, raising concern the reopening of tourism sites will further fuel the pandemic. The island, popular with both foreign and local tourists, had some success in containing the virus outbreak in its early phase but the return of migrant workers and easing of physical distancing rules triggered a surge in infections.
"Is Bali the Next Virus Hotspot? Border Lift Sends 'Really Big Danger Signals' to WA" from The Sydney Morning Herald: Any West Australians among the 3000 Australian tourists considering whether to leave Bali in the coming months face a ticking clock to get out before it becomes unsafe and more difficult to do so, Ross Taylor from the Indonesia Institute in WA warns. "Australians need to be aware that in the next few weeks of September there will be a lot more Javanese flooding into Bali and walking around, who have not been thoroughly tested,” he said... It also presents a huge problem for Bali being able to attract Australian tourists back. "The Australian government is not going to let that happen and I don’t think many West Australians will ever go back until they feel safe to do so; I know I’m not looking to go back until at the earliest next year and I’ve been going since 1971," Mr Taylor said.
Non-Covid News of Note
"Dalem Temple in Nusa Penida Damaged by Large Fire" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): Pura Dalem Setra in Batununggul Village, Nusa Penida suffered a severe fire on Wednesday, causing residents in the area to raise alarms and attempt to put out the blaze before firefighters, police, and soldiers arrived to assist... "Because of the strong winds, the fire quickly burns the pelinggih building. Moreover, the roof made of palm fiber, makes the fire quickly spread," explained Nusa Penida police chief, AKP I Gede Sukadana. Nine pelinggih buildings burned. Namely Pelinggih Meru, Gedong Dalem, Pengaruman. Limas Sari, Limas Catu, Gedong Sari, Pelinggih Mendah Seluwang, and Bale Sor also burned. "The loss from this incident is estimated to reach Rp. 2 billion. While the fire that caused the fire is suspected to have originated from residents who burned trash around the temple," Sukadana said.
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 fund 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.
Resources
Important information for foreigners who are staying on the island, such as designated COVID-19 hospitals and emergency contact numbers, can be found by following this link.
The government has cancelled its visa-on-arrival process and rolled out enhanced entry requirements for people traveling to Indonesia; they have also cancelled the automatic Emergency Stay Permit program that had been extended to most foreigners who are still in the country on temporary stay visas. You can see a (translated) list of all of the relevant entry regulations on the Directorate General of Immigration & Ministry of Law and Human Rights' website here. Scroll down halfway to the heading "Foreign nationals still residing in Indonesia due to suspending departure and ITAS & ITAP holders overseas" to see their list of which visas can still be extended. If you reside in Badung Regency, from the southern end of the island up to North Kuta, you need to make an appointment with the Immigration office in the Airport before you go in. You can make your appointment here. Follow them on social media to receive policy updates as soon as they are released: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Local travel website Traveloka has a helpful page with a summary of what’s needed to travel to and within the country. You can also order a rapid test or swab (PCR) test via their platform: Link
The British Embassy in Jakarta has recently posted a great summary of the Indonesian government's travel restrictions on their Facebook page. You can read it here.
The EU has launched a website to help travelers stay informed about how member states will be accelerating the reopening of their borders. Through the “EU Re-open” website, travelers can enter the name of the country they wish to visit and find out the rules that will apply after each place's coronavirus lockdown. Information on the EU Re-open website and app will continue to be updated in line with the developments of the coronavirus pandemic.
If you are trying to plan travel anywhere, here are some of the best up-to-date resources that can help you:
IATA Travel Center Update - The International Air Transport Association is the global lobbying body for the aviation industry. Their Travel Information Manual Automatic (Timatic) database feeds into airlines' reservation systems, so it is the most reliable list of flight restrictions around.
Revolver Maps' Travel Restrictions Database - This list pulls directly from IATA's Timatic database and arranges the countries in lists that are easier to navigate and creates share-able links for every country. NOTE: This is a third-party service and they warn that the updates to their system can be delayed by several hours for certain countries.
Al Jazeera Travel Restriction & Border Shutdown Tracker - A companion list that includes less technical summaries of each country's travel restrictions, beyond just flights and airport access.
About This Newsletter
This newsletter is a product of Migration Media, the hub for stories from and about the international migrant experience.
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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 will polish the excerpt and/or write a short summary in proper English to help clarify the details.
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