Friday, June 19
Huge jump in cases (66) caused by increased testing, govt says + Official reopening plan unveiled + Delivery drivers strike over testing + Govt searching for more quarantine space + more!
Good morning! Welcome to the COVID-19 Update for Bali for Friday, June 19. 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. But if you would like to support my work, please consider taking up a voluntary subscription at US$5/month. Thanks!
Status Update
National Numbers:
Bali Numbers:
New Infections by Regency
Overall Confirmed Cases Distribution:
Key: Red = Infected | Green = Recovered | Black = Died
Bali 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 Total Confirmed Cases Distribution map & Regency Numbers figures come from the Bali Provincial Government's data collection department (link).
The 30-day trend charts have been compiled using daily government data.
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.
The Big News
"Denpasar Adds 36 Cases, Dewa Rai: The Number of Examinations Is Also High" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): Denpasar City recorded 36 additional cases on Thursday, dominated by local transmission and most of it was the result of contact tracing and testing the Pasar Kumbasari cluster. The cumulative tracing of the task force team in Denpasar contained 1,312 people without symptoms (OTG). 438 of them have been declared healthy. Whereas the number suspected cases in isolation (ODP) has totaled 312, with 276 declared healthy after undergoing independent isolation. Of 106 Patients in Oversight (PDP), a total of 36 people have been declared negative after undergoing a swab test... "The current case trend continues to increase because of our focus on finding cases," explained I Dewa Gede Rai, Spokesperson for Denpasar's Covid-19 Task Force. The increase in COVID-19 positive cases is proportional to the increase in the number of swab tests that are now being done on a massive scale. At present, there are 274 positive cases of COVID-19 in Denpasar. While the number of tests carried out has reached 3,965 people. This is what he said led to an increase in cases, but the percentage is still consistent from the previous month.
"Koster Gives Approx. Dates for Reopening" from The Seminyak Times: Even with an increase in local transmissions, according to the governor, the provincial government is still designing various steps to oversee the new normal, including planning when and how to open tourism on the island. If the situation is conducive, starting on July 9, tourism will be opened for the movement of local Balinese people in certain sectors. If conditions warrant, it will continue to open in August for domestic tourists; and for international tourists it is planned to open in September. He stressed that this is not a definite schedule to be carried out, greatly depending on the situation with Covid-19 in the field, especially local transmission in Bali.
"Covid-19 Protocol At the Airport Is Strict, This Is A Condition for Passengers" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport has begun to implement strict health protocols. Passengers on domestic routes departing for Bali are required to equip themselves with identity cards, a PCR Test result letter with a negative result with a validity period of 7 days from issue, as well as downloading and activating the Protect Care application on the cellphone devices of each prospective passenger. Prospective passengers are also required to fill out a self-report form online, as well as fill in the document Travel Declaration Letter and Declaration of Guarantee, which can be downloaded on the website https://cekdiri.baliprov.go.id/... As for passengers on domestic routes departing, are required to include identification, and a certificate of negative Covid-19 results based on rapid tests with non-reactive results with a validity period of 3 days from issue. Specifically for passengers with destination airports that require a Covid-19 negative result certificate based on the PCR test, it is required to show the letter at the inspection at the departure terminal.
Other Headlines
"With Cases of Covid-19 Continuing to Increase, Denpasar's Task Force Urges Community to Not Panic" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): According to I Dewa Gede Ra, Spokesperson for Denpasar City's Covid-19 Task Force, the increase in the number of cases in the city is being caused by contact tracing and examinations carried out by the Health Service which were increasingly massive- including the testing of people without symptoms. "Being alert is a joint obligation; don't panic. And don't just look at the numbers we are immediately shocked, but also see the number of specimens carried out by the test, so the percentage is clear," Dewa Rai said.
"Even With Letters Verifying That They're Covid-free, PMI Coming to Bali Must Be Swabbed and Quarantined" from Berita Bali (Indonesian): In accordance with the current situation and conditions, PMI who have just arrived will have to take a Swab-PCR test and be quarantined while waiting for their results to be picked up by the Covid-19 Task Force of their home Regencies. This procedure must be followed even if they have entered the country via another port, such as Jakarta, and carry health documents saying that they are free of Covid-19... If their results are positive, then the province will be picked up to be quarantined and handled by the Province of Bali, while those who have a Swab-PCR test are negative then they will undergo independent quarantine in their homes under the supervision of the Regency / City Task Force and the Gotong Task Force Team Local Indigenous Village based mutual cooperation.
"Bali Regional Secretary Responds to Driver Protests in Banyuwangi, Says Rapid Test Costs Should Be Borne by Companies" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian): Hundreds of logistics drivers who were supposed to cross to Bali held a protest at Sritanjung Terminal, in Banyuwangi, refusing to cross, jamming the roads leading to the terminal. They were protesting the new policy of the Bali government to no longer provide free rapid tests to anyone making the crossing, as they are considered very expensive... Regional Secretary of the Province of Bali, Dewa Made Indra, said that the cost of rapid tests for the crew of logistical transport vehicles should be borne by the transport companies so that they do not become a personal burden for the transportation crews. Bali's Covid-19 Task Force has written to the Indonesian Logistics Association and the Management of Private Land Transport Companies and SOEs.
"With Covid-19 Trends Soaring, Sekda Indra Coordinates Quarantine Capacity in Bali" from Berita Bali (Indonesian): "With an ever-increasing number, it will certainly cause quarantine to be more full, so a fast and coordinated circulation between agencies and related parties is needed," said Dewa Made Indra, Chairman of Bali's Covid-19 Task Force... Dewa Indra has asked the BPBD Kalaksa, the Head of the Bali Provincial Health Office and the Head of the Bali Provincial Communication and Information Agency to further coordinate and follow up on the needs needed at quarantine, including the need for WiFi, beds for security personnel guarding quarantine sites. Quarantine management must be updated according to the conditions in the field is to build a new agreement, where the former will experience changes in accordance with the current real situation.
"As Local Transmission Increases, Bali Disperindag Will Form Task Force in Traditional Markets" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian): Head of the Provincial Industry and Trade Office (Disperindag) of Bali Province, I Wayan Jarta, said, "Now it turns out that clusters have shifted, from foreign travel actors (PMI) to people in markets who are much more exposed." In response, his organization will help the province's Task Force in each traditional market... This task force will function as supervision and implementation of health protocols in traditional markets and will collaborate with external parties. Later, officials can enter traditional markets to bring order to the public in implementing health protocols.
Non-Covid News of Note
"Police Apprehend American Man After Alleged Theft At Kuta Jewelry Store" from Coconuts: The foreigner, who has been identified by his initials MDP, is a 35-year-old man from the United States. The incident took place at a local jewelry store in Kuta yesterday, where he allegedly took a piece of gold ring without paying.... As MDP allegedly attempted to escape, the shopkeeper ran after him and asked for help from local residents in the area, which eventually led to MDP being surrounded by at least half a dozen men, one of whom was ready to throw a punch as seen in a video that's been circulating online.
"Motorcyclist Killed After Getting Caught in Kite String in Denpasar" from Antara (Indonesian): A 61 year-old motorcyclist named I Wayan Losmen was killed on Sesetan Highway in Denpasar after being caught in a kite string. The incident began when the motorcycle was caught in a kite string that ran across the road, causing I Wayan Losmen to lose balance and swerve to the right side of the road, where he crashed into a Wheeloder car or heavy equipment.
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 granted automatic extensions to most foreigners who are still in the country on temporary stay visas. You can see a (translated) list of all of the relevant regulations on the Directorate General of Immigration & Ministry of Law and Human Rights' website here.
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.
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 will polish the excerpt and/or write a short summary in proper English to help clarify the details.
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