January 12, 2022
Booster shots to be free for all Indonesians + Many negative sentiments around partial obstruction of Canggu Shortcut + Bali Task Force prepares 1,500 beds in anticipation of Omicron spread + more
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Weather & Tides
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Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
The Big News
“Booster Shots Against Covid-19 Free for Everyone: Jokowi” from The Jakarta Globe: Indonesia will begin administering Covid-19 vaccine booster shots on Wednesday. According to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, the booster rollout will first prioritize the elderly and vulnerable groups. The third dose vaccination is crucial to boost people's immunity against the ever-mutating coronavirus. “That is why I have decided that the third dose will be available at no cost for all Indonesian people. Because, once again, people's safety is paramount,” Jokowi said on Tuesday. An individual can get their third booster jab in more than six months after their second dose, according to Jokowi.
“Bendesa Canggu Angry at Negative Comments on Social Media About Road Closure” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The installation of billboards that closed part of the Canggu Shortcut was widely shared and commented on on social media, with netizens even commented negatively, infuriating Bendesa Adat Canggu. Canggu Traditional Village Wayan Suarsana emphasized that the installation of billboards was not a road closure, instead, he said, it was only protecting the Laba Pura Dalem Penataran Canggu land. The partially closed road can be accessed via a Shortcut Road that connects Canggu Village and Tibubeneng Village. On the ground was also fitted with billboards reading “This land is not a public road. This land is the property of certificate number: 4148”. Due to the installation of the billboards, the road can now only be passed by two-wheeled vehicles.
Context: A story with a better photo of the signage (and obstruction) can be seen here (Indonesian).
“Bali Task Force Prepares 1,500 Beds to Anticipate Omicron Spread” from Antara: The COVID-19 Handling Task Force of Bali, together with district and city task forces, has prepared 1,500 beds at isolation centers to anticipate the spread of the Omicron variant. "The province's task force is managing as many as 700 beds, and 800 beds are being managed by the task force of nine districts and cities," secretary of the Bali COVID-19 Handling Task Force, I Made Rentin, said on Tuesday. Even though the Omicron variant has not been detected in Bali, the province has prepared six anticipatory measures, he said.
Context: Earlier reports had identified Bali as one of eleven provinces in Indonesia with Omicron (Indonesian).
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Other Headlines
“Aviation Safety Must Be Maintained as Sector Revives” from Antara: Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has highlighted the need for maintaining flight safety following the improvement in the aviation industry after COVID-19 disruptions. In addition to monitoring old aircraft that have been out of service for a long time, pilots who have not flown for a while are also a concern, according to the minister. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the aviation industry has experienced a downward trend, hitting minus 20% compared to the pre-pandemic era, he pointed out. All parties must ensure the recovery of the aviation industry, and monitoring the condition of the flight crew is one effort towards this, he added. "Their competence, license, mental, physical, and health readiness must be well-prepared," he said.
Vaccination Update
“Booster Vaccine Program Based on Dose Availability” from Antara: The Indonesian Government would give booster shots to the people at large by taking into account the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has said. Indonesia already has enough vaccines from the 2021 vaccine procurement contract that will arrive in Indonesia in early 2022, he said on Tuesday. In addition, booster vaccines have also been obtained from other nations through donations such as through the COVAX facility and bilateral cooperation programs, he said. Primary Sinovac vaccine participants will be given a half dose of Pfizer vaccine as a booster, he informed, meanwhile, full-dose primary Sinovac recipients will be given a half dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, he added. People who have received the complete dose of the AstraZeneca primary vaccine will get a half dose of the Moderna vaccine as a booster, he said.
Context: Other media reported 350 million doses are to be prepared for the booster program.
More...
Nation: “Booster Vaccination Schedule Available on Pedulilindungi” from Antara
Nation: “Police Chief Targets 100% Child Vaccination Within Fortnight” from Antara
Nation: “Vaccine Stock for Children Aged 6-11 Years in Mataram Is Empty” from Republika (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Indonesia's Omicron Cases Estimated to Peak Early Feb” from Antara: Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has estimated that the peak of Omicron infections in Indonesia will be reached in early February. The estimation is based on observations of other countries' experiences, where the Omicron variant reached its peak in the range of 40 days, which was faster than the Delta variant, he said. "For Indonesia, we estimated the peak of the Omicron wave will occur in early February," Pandjaitan said on Tuesday. He emphasized that Indonesia is now more prepared to face any potential COVID-19 wave that the Omicron variant may cause.
More...
Nation: “Covid-19 Cases Up in Past Two Weeks” from Antara
Province: “Pecalang Remind of Need to Obey Prokes During Ogoh-ogoh March” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“International Hospital in Bali Believed to be Able to Compete with Neighboring Countries” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): Executive Director of the Indonesian Center of Reform on Economics Mohammad Faisal said health tourism in the Special Economic Health Zone in Bali, the idea of SOE Minister Erick Thohir through the construction of an international standard hospital, is believed to not be inferior to neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, China and Thailand. "We have the potential to compete with international hospitals that have been used by the Indonesian people for treatment abroad, especially the upper middle class who have to go to Singapore or Penang, Malaysia for treatment," Faisal said on Tuesday. According to Faisal, the reason people go for treatment abroad is because the facilities are of international standard but the price is cheaper and the service is good.
More...
Nation: “Indonesia, Japan Discuss Green Energy Investment” from Antara
Nation: “Minister Thohir Files Report on Garuda Indonesia Case to AGO” from Antara
Nation: “Omicron Won’t Bring Out the Red Flag for Mandalika MotoGP” from Coconuts Bali
Nation: “3G Phaseout Still Under Review” from Antara
Education
“Health Protocols, Vaccination for Educators Should Be Considered” from Antara: Health protocol implementation and the second COVID-19 vaccination dose coverage for educators and education workers should be collectively considered for holding a full offline schooling, the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry's official said. On Tuesday, the Ministry's Children's Rights Protection Deputy Agustina Erni said the ministry welcomed the 100% capacity face-to-face learning policy, however, health protocols should still be ensured in addition to the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination coverage that had reached at least 80% for education workers and 50% for the elderly in cities or districts.
More....
Nation: “Epidemiologist Urges Jakarta Gov't to Evaluate Face-to-face Learning” from Antara
Buleleng: “Free Lontar Writing Training” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
“Klungkung Regent Calls Nusa Penida the Most Popular Destination in Indonesia, Juliarta Critical About Infrastructure” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): The Regent of Klungkung, Nyoman Suwirta, said that Nusa Penida is the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia. On the other hand, a member of the Bali DPRD for the Klungkung electoral district, Ketut Juliarta, criticized Suwirta's statement because a lot of infrastructure on Nusa Penida has been damaged, especially after the flood disaster. Likewise, to be sure Nusa Penida, which was originally known as a religious tourism destination, does not fade away, Juliarta suggested that sacred areas and tourist areas be paid attention to in order to maintain the sanctity of the area. "The most important thing is that the holy area and tourism are both properly cared for, so that they are maintained," he said.
Of Interest
“Actress Nia Ramadhani and Husband Ardi Bakrie Sentenced to a Year Each for Drug Abuse” from Coconuts Jakarta
“First Robot Barista in Indonesia” from Indonesia Expat
“KFC Sued for IDR 4 Billion Because of the Krunchy Burger Image” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
“Long-Tailed Monkey Traders in Satria Market Warned” from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
“Floods in North Kuta, Residential Roads Similar to Rivers with Heavy Currents” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
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