Friday, September 4
Another record for new cases (174) + Badung confirms that no private schools can conduct face-to-face learning + AmCham Indonesia examines recent immigration rules changes on its new podcast + more!
Good morning! Welcome to The Bali Beat for Friday, September 4. If you’re not a subscriber, sign up here to get this update delivered directly to your Inbox every Monday-Saturday 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 foreigner community on the island by clicking the button below.
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Weather & Waves
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
Today’s Tides
Surf Outlook
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: Click here to see the complete breakdown of yesterday’s numbers + trendlines in our evening update.
The Big News
"Bali Reports Another Record Daily High With 174 New COVID-19 Cases" from Coconuts: The number of daily COVID-19 cases in Bali has surpassed yet another record today, making today the fourth day in a row that the province has registered record new daily highs. Officials have yet to identify the cause of recent caseload spikes or indicate the possibility of heightened restrictions. “Let’s continue to support the government’s efforts by staying disciplined on implementing health protocols, whenever and wherever,” Dewa Made Indra, regional secretary of the Bali administration, said.
"Private Schools Determined to Operate; Kadisdik: That's an Issue, Badung is A Red Zone" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Until now the Regent of Badung I Nyoman Giri Prasta has not given schools permission to carry out the face-to-face learning process. "There is no permit for schools to open in Badung. Including PAUD / TK, not allowed to open temporarily. It's just an issue, "said the Head of Badung Education and Youth Office Ketut Widia Astika. The same thing was conveyed by the Head of North Kuta District I Putu Eka Permana. According to him, so far there are no schools open in North Kuta. "Poles have not received any information about a school opening in the North Kuta area. What I know is that all schools are still closed because students study online from home," added I Putu Eka Permana... Head of the Badung Education Office, Ketut Widia Astika, confirmed that no one has given permission for schools in their area to open, let alone conduct face-to-face teaching and learning activities. "Badung in general is still a red zone. We have not dared to give permission to open," said I Ketut Widia Astika yesterday.
"Adaptable Immigration Policies During the Pandemic" from Platform by AmCham Indonesia: Indonesian Immigration policies have experienced rapid changes since the COVID-19 pandemic started. For expats, and even locals, trying to understand and keep up with ever-changing immigration policies can be a huge challenge. Constant communication with government officials from the Directorate General of Immigration is crucial to comprehend the technical details of immigration policies. However, not everyone is privileged to have access to government officials, and sometimes important information is not available in English. In this episode, we sat down with Stephen Igor Warokka, Supervising Partner of the Immigration Law Practice at SSEK Legal Consultants, to discuss the current Indonesian immigration policies during the pandemic. Pressing issues like entry restriction, expired stay permits, family reunifications, visas, and many more, are discussed in detail. (Ed. Note: Look for Platform on your preferred podcatcher or listen on Spotify here.)
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Other Headlines
"Payangan Hospital Temporarily Closed As Healthcare Workers Test Positive for Coronavirus" from Bali Express (Indonesian): The hospital in the North Gianyar area was forced to close its emergency room and polyclinic services because a number of health workers have confirmed positive for Covid-19. Kadiskes Gianyar, Ida Ayu Cahyani, said that of the eight health workers who were swabbed, five were positive for Covid-19. "The five positive health workers are scattered in Polyclinics and ER," he explained. He said the closure will take place from Wednesday (2/9) evening until (7/9). During the closing process, sterilization was carried out in two rooms, as well as waiting for the results of other health workers' swabs.
"As Office Clusters in Buleleng Subside, Cases Soar Among Families" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): As of yesterday (2/9) there were no new clusters of covid transmission in Buleleng. The distribution pattern is now said to have shifted, namely to the family sphere. Data from the Regency's Covid-19 Task Force (GTPP) showed that on Wednesday there were 40 new positive confirmed cases... Secretary of GTPP Covid-19 Buleleng Gede Suyasa revealed, although there have been significant additions since last Tuesday (1/9), it is certain that no new clusters have emerged. The spread occurs because cases of transmission are now occurring in the family environment. Most of the cases found were asymptomatic or asymptomatic. "This has led to families per family. So it spreads in the family environment. That's why even in the family, you have to be vigilant.
"Denpasar District Court Reopenes with Visitor Restrictions" from News Bali (Indonesian): "The Denpasar District Court has reopened its services and trials after we locked it down two weeks ago," said Denpasar District Court Head Soebandi. A number of measures had been taken to prevent the spread of the corona virus in the judiciary. Among other things, by spraying disinfectants in every room at the Denpasar District Court and outside the court building. In addition, to avoid crowds, Denpasar District Court has also implemented a work from home (WFH) policy for judges and employees. Then for visitors to the Denpasar District Court it is also limited to only 90 people. The Denpasar District Court previously closed the court from 19 August to 2 September 2020 after eight people tested positive for Covid-19. One of those infected was a judge.
"WOW! Amid the Pandemic, 1,200 People in Denpasar Get Ticketed In A Day" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The level of traffic violations in Denpasar is still high amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This can be seen from the large number of offenders who redeemed tickets at the Denpasar Prosecutor's Office yesterday (2/9). From morning to evening, 1,200 violators were recorded who came to take evidence. Fortunately the Denpasar Prosecutor's Office was on the fly. The most types of violations were motorists who did not have a driver's license. "Quite a few violators came. We ended up setting up three additional tents. It's like a wedding celebration event, "joked the Head of Pidum Denpasar Kejari, I Wayan Eka Widanta.
"Indonesia Amongst World’s Worst for COVID-19 Handling" from Indonesian Expat: In Indonesia, as of Tuesday 1st September 2020, there were 42,009 cases of people still sick with COVID-19, or 23.7% of those who have been diagnosed, while the world average stands at 26.6%. However, Indonesia is still recognised as struggling with it’s response to the pandemic in terms of testing and infection rates... In Beijing, 83,644 cases of infections have been found after testing 90 million citizens. Meanwhile, Indonesia has only tested 697,043 people with 1.2 million specimens and has found 84,882 confirmed positive cases, according to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health. Indonesia has only conducted 4,389 tests per one million of its population. Meanwhile, China has conducted 62,814 tests per one million population.
"2 Foreigners Arrested On Bali for Alleged Drug Possession" from The AP: Collum Park from Britain was arrested Tuesday night with 11.8 grams of methamphetamine and 15 ecstasy pills, Denpasar police chief Jansen Panjaitan said in a statement. Park has been in Bali since 2019, he said. Police said they arrested a second suspect, Aaron Wayne Coyle, an Australian who has stayed in Bali since early 2020, with 1.2 grams of methamphetamine... Based on an interrogation, “We suspect that the Briton is the drug dealer and distributor, while the Australian is the courier,” Panjaitan said. Both men are being held by Denpasar police for further investigation. They are being charged under an article of the narcotics law which provides a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine.
"Bali Police Uncover 55 Drug Cases in 2 Weeks" from Coconuts: Drug crimes don’t stop just because we’re in the middle of a pandemic, as dozens of arrests made by the Bali Police between Aug. 15 and 30 have revealed. Muhamad Khozin, who heads the drug crimes unit at the Bali Police, said authorities uncovered 55 drug trafficking cases during the period and arrested 71 suspects in total. Crystal meth, weed, and ecstasy pills were among the evidence authorities had seized, along with illegal cosmetics.
"Drug Circulation in Gianyar Rampant Online During Covid-19 Pandemic" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian): Head of The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Gianyar, AKBP Agung Alit Adnyana, said that in this pandemic season, the circulation of narcotics is still massive. Now they have used a new method, namely express care services. Where, he said, the buyer will pick up the goods at that place. "During the pandemic, circulation was no longer in public places, no longer using the old system, such as sticking things under tables or on trees by the side of the road, but now it is spread via express deposits. He leaves there, someone will take him there,” said AKBP Agung Adnyana.
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.
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We do not share rumors.
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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.
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