January 10, 2022
Bali one of 11 provinces seeing an increase in Omicron cases + Nusa Lembongan’s Jungutbatu Beach to be organized + Rescued turtles released on Kuta Beach + more
Good morning!
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Weather & Tides
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
Today’s Tides
Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
Tide table from Tide-forecast.com.
Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
Note: After a slow decline in late December, the 7-day average for new cases has begun to edge up through early January, as have the number of cases in treatment.
The Big News
“Bali One of 11 Provinces Experiencing an Increase in Omicron Cases” from Republika (Indonesian): The Bali Province Covid-19 Handling Task Force asked the local community to be more vigilant because Bali is included in 11 provinces in the country that experienced an increase in cases of the coronavirus for more than one week in a row. "The cases are increasing, but the single digits are still consistent. Let's be more vigilant, obey and be disciplined about health protocols," said Secretary of the Bali Province Covid-19 Task Force I Made Rentin on Sunday. Rentin added that on Sunday the Bali Province Covid-19 Task Force recorded that there were 65 active cases in Bali. From this data, 43 people underwent treatment at a referral hospital, 8 people underwent centralized isolation and 14 others underwent isolation.
“Nusa Lembongan’s Jungutbatu Beach to be Organized” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): Jungutbatu Beach on Nusa Lembongan is planned to be organized as a tourism spot, with beach volleyball and other places to add to the attraction for tourists. The plan was revealed by the Regent of Klungkung, I Nyoman Suwirta when visiting Jungutbatu Beach, accompanied by the Head of the Jungutbatu Workshop, I Gede Suryawan, on Sunday. “This place is usually very crowded, such as the restaurant is full and the villas are also full. But now it is really very quiet, of course in a situation like this we must not be silent, especially the Regional Government and the people here. Let's jointly evaluate what steps should be taken in the future, so that our people here still feel happy," said Regent Suwirta.
Context: Additional coverage noted the island’s mangroves are to be beautified (Indonesian). In other news Badung Tourism Office has suggested Seminyak Beach be designated as a tourism object (Indonesian).
“33 Sea Turtles Rescued From Poachers Released on Kuta Beach” from Reuters: Authorities on Bali released 33 endangered green sea turtles into the ocean on Saturday in an effort to boost a population threatened by poachers and illegal traders. The turtles, from the Chelonia mydas species that is protected in Indonesia, were released on Kuta beach after being rescued during a Navy operation against poachers in December. Tourists gathered to watch and film the release on their mobile phones, cheering the turtles on as they trudged across on the beach. Indonesia has become a hub of international trafficking of marine turtles, feeding demand from countries like Malaysia, Vietnam and China. Anyone convicted of involvement in the trade can be jailed for up to five years under Indonesian law.
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Other Headlines
“BKPM Receives Feasibility Study of North Bali International Airport” from Antara: The Ministry of Investment / Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has received several documents of feasibility study and business plan from PT BIBU Panji Sakti as the initiator of North Bali International Airport in Buleleng, Bali. "We are ready to accelerate the development of the airport. Huge investment is needed to implement the project that involves local entrepreneurs and grows MSMEs," Special Staff of BKPM, M Pradana Indraputra, said on Sunday. According to the plan, the construction of North Bali International Airport including aerocity, and aerotropolis will cost an estimated IDR 50 trillion and create jobs for 200,000 workers.
Context: Late last week it was reported that the airport would be completed in 2024 (Indonesian).
Vaccination Update
“Booster Vaccine Distribution to Involve Regular Channels” from Antara: The Health Ministry will use the regular distribution channel for delivering the booster or third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to 21 million recipients, COVID-19 vaccination spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi said on Saturday. The distribution stage will be carried out by state-owned vaccine manufacturer PT Bio Farma, she said. Production will be carried out after the vaccines receive emergency-use authorization from the National Agency of Drug and Food Control, she added. Bio Farma will distribute the vaccines by utilizing a special armada capable of keeping an ideal cold chain temperature of 2–8 degrees Celsius at special vaccine storage facilities in each province, she said. The booster vaccination will cover districts or cities with 70% first dose coverage for the general public and 60% for the elderly, she said.
More...
Nation: “Indonesia Receives Over 4.4 Million Doses of Covid-19 Vaccine” from Antara
Nation: “Complete Covid-19 Vaccination and Be Ready to Receive Booster” from Antara
Nation: “Second Dose Administered to Over 116 Million Citizens” from Antara
Nation: “Recipients' Condition Should Be Considered for Booster Shot” from Antara
Nation: “Indonesia Ranks Among Top Five Countries With Highest Vaccination Coverage” from Antara
Badung: “Police Anticipate Illegal Booster Vaccines” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Year-end Holidays Likely Spark Covid-19 Case Surge” from Antara: The rise in active COVID-19 cases, which, as of January 7, stood at 1,394, was caused by the Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022 holidays, according to Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria. "I believe that this should be our consideration. There is a quite high increase in the number of cases in several days, with one of the causes perhaps being the Christmas and New Year holidays," he said on Friday. The Jakarta provincial government is striving to reduce the number of active COVID-19 cases and to this end has requested citizens to implement health protocols while conducting their activities and be wary of the spread of the Omicron variant. "All of us do not want another rise, which is why we are trying to reduce them. Of course, we will monitor the tracing, testing, and treatment," he said.
More...
Nation: “Wisma Atlet Hospital for Covid-19 Treating 1,798 Inpatients” from Antara
Nation: “Experts Warns of Upcoming Third Wave as Omicron Spreads” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “Govt Urged to Focus on Healthcare System over Omicron Spread Containment” from Tempo
Klungkung: “Cigarette Advertisements Are Mushrooming in Stalls, the Regent Is Furious” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Indonesia Holds Talks With Industry on Coal Distribution Problems, Export Ban” from Reuters: Indonesia is yet to reach a decision on lifting its coal export ban as authorities discussed overcoming logistic issues that have slowed efforts to distribute coal to domestic power plants, a mining group executive said on Sunday. The world's biggest thermal coal exporter suspended coal exports on January 1 after Indonesia's state power utility reported dangerously low inventory levels of the fuel, putting the economy on the brink of widespread power outages. The move had sent global prices of the fuel up last week with international buyers monitoring closely discussion between Indonesian authorities and the local coal industry. Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs met with miners and other related industry again on Sunday, but has not made any decision yet regarding resuming exports, said Hendra Sinadia, executive director of Indonesia Coal Miners Association.
More...
Nation: “Coal-dependent Indonesia Starts Tapping Huge Solar Power Potential” from Reuters
Nation: “Tourist Accommodations Prioritized Ahead of MotoGP at Mandalika” from Antara
Nation: “New Tax Rules for Digital Businesses Including Airbnb and Booking.com” from Indonesia Expat
Klungkung: “Over IDR 100 Billion Dispersed for Beach Restoration in Klungkung” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
“Nine Cruise Ships to Dock at Gili Emas, Lombok in 2022” from from Bali Bisnis (Indonesian): Data from Pelindo III Sheet records that nine cruise ships have submitted a schedule to the government to land in 2022. Head of KSOP Sheet R. Pradigdo explained that cruise ships that have submitted a schedule to dock in Lombok are expected to get approval from the central government. "Hopefully there will be fresh air from the central government for permission to lean on, the Gili Emas port is ready, but due to Covid-19, permission to lean must be from the central government," Pradigdo said on Thursday. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began the government has not issued permits for cruise ships to dock in Lombok in order to prevent the spread of the Covid-19.
Of Interest
“Smoking Cannabis, Scottish Man Immediately Tried in Denpasar District Court” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“American Citizen Who Beat Italian Citizen Delegated to Prosecutors” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“Indonesia’s Huge China-backed ‘Green’ Industrial Estate Raises Deforestation, Environment Fears” from South China Morning Post
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How You Can Help Bali
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