January 25, 2022
Java-Bali PPKM extended till Jan. 31 + Bali international flights to be added ahead of G20 + Minister suggests 44% of travelers from overseas are infected with Covid + more
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Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
The Big News
“Government Extends PPKM in Java-Bali Amid Covid-19 Cases Under Control” from Antara: The Indonesian government has decided to extend the implementation of PPKM in Java and Bali until January 31. "Despite the increase in cases, the government remains in full control of this Omicron variant. The increase in cases is relatively under control," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said on Monday. Pandjaitan said the number of confirmed and active daily cases was still 90% lower than at the peak of the Delta variant.
Context: A related story noted that Java-Bali account for almost 90% of the country’s current caseload and another explained the government is not considering another lockdown at this stage.
“Sandiaga Says International Flights to Bali Will Be Added Ahead of G20” from Tempo (Indonesian): Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said the government would encourage an increase in the frequency of airlines with international routes entering Bali ahead of the G20. “Bali will be prepared to start getting new regulations because this province is the location for various international events. Even though Bali has been opened, direct flights cannot be realized," said Sandiaga on Monday. He stated the plan to increase the frequency of flights for international flight routes is in line with the travel bubble cooperation that is being explored with various countries. Sandiaga said that Indonesia is discussing the travel bubble with Japan and India, and he hopes that the plan to increase the frequency of direct flights will run in the second and third quarters.
Context: Bali currently has no scheduled international flights.
“Minister Suggests 44% of Travelers Returning From Overseas Are Infected With Covid” from Tempo: Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan highlighted the surge of Omicron variant in Indonesia which exceeds 1,000 people daily. He said that the transmission was carried by returning travelers from abroad. "I just received a report that many have come from overseas and 44% of them were infected either by Omicron or Covid," Luhut said on Wednesday. The minister then reminded people to refrain from travelling overseas in the next three week. The minister then said the new variant covid is people's common enemy and it requires people's cooperation to bring Indonesia out of the pandemic. "If you want to live, please obey (the protocol). And if not, then by all means."
Context: The Minister did not cite a source for his 44% figure, which contrasts with most reporting suggesting a lower overall figure for imported cases. Yesterday’s official summary suggest a figure around 5%. In other news, the government has just announced an international travel bubble between Singapore and Bintan-Batam. Meanwhile reports continue of Covid positive Umrah pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia (Indonesian).
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Other Headlines
“Caught Working, Immigration Promises Strict Action for Foreign Visit Visas Holders” from Bali Post (Indonesian): The issue of a number of foreign tourists holding visit visas allegedly working in Bali is considered not new. Even the Bali Ministry of Law and Human Rights, which oversees the three immigration offices, has long heard this information. "If there are foreigners who hold visit visas, but they work in Bali, we will not hesitate to take action,” promised the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Bali, Jamaruli Manihuruk. "Perhaps there is a point. They work from the hotel, or where they live, but they work in their country, so they work online," he said. He did not deny that immigration authorities had heard of someone working in a company. “But when our officers came down, it turned out that many companies had closed," said Jamaruli. Currently in Bali, there are around 112,000 foreigners.
Context: A translation of this piece in domestic English-language media suggested online workers were specifically being targeted by immigration, causing considerable discussion on social media. While immigration may well be keeping an eye on digital workers, the above story relates to foreigners working illegally for businesses in Indonesia. It isn’t clear if this story was as a result of the deported foreigner reported yesterday. In related news, the Immigration Department has said they enforce immigration rules without discrimination.
Vaccination Update
“Denpasar Government Intensifies Booster Campaign” from Republika (Indonesian): The Denpasar City Government is aggressively carrying out a booster vaccination program for the community to increase communal immunity and extend the period of protection from Covid-19. Deputy Chairperson of the Denpasar City PKK Mobilization Team, Ayu Kristi Arya Wibawa, said that even though all administrators and members of TP PKK, DWP, and WHDI had been vaccinated, they had to remain disciplined in maintaining health and implementing the 5M health protocol as the key to provide optimal protection from the transmission of the virus. "We have followed a complete vaccination, we urge the public to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Gov't Expanding Covid-19 Testing, Tracing, Treatment” from Antara: The Indonesian government has continued to expand testing, tracing, treatment to deal with asymptomatic Omicron patients, government spokesperson for COVID-19, Reisa Broto Asmoro, said. “We have to be careful. Cases (of COVID-19) have increased, and the Omicron variant has already infected many people," she said on Monday. Asmoro noted that expanding the 3Ts, especially tracing, is continuing to be carried out because many people are contracting the Omicron variant without experiencing any symptoms, which results in their not getting tested. Meanwhile, to trace people who have contracted the virus, the government is intensifying tracing of the close contacts and people around the patient, especially in Java and Bali areas, she said.
More...
Nation: “Omicron Local Transmission Detected in Mataram” from Bali Bisnis (Indonesian)
Nation: “Indonesian Govt Readies 80,000 Hospital Beds for Covid-19 Patients” from Antara
Nation: “Public Cautioned Against Entering Public Places Without Pedulilindungi” from Antara
Economy & Infrastructure
“PHRI Asks Hotel and Restaurant Entrepreneurs Not to Immediately Lay Off Workers” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) in Badung hopes that hotel and restaurant entrepreneurs will not immediately terminate the employment of their workers. On Sunday the chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association Badung, I Gusti Agung Rai Suryawijaya said “In my opinion, you have to think slowly, because it's hard for employees to serve for a long time, the rest they don't want their livelihood to be lost." He said if the occupancy rate of the hotel is low, his party wants the employees to be rotated to work, so that all employees will be treated the same.
More...
Nation: “Minimum Wage, Not Effective Wage, Must Be Safety Net” from Antara
Nation: “Jakarta to Remain Economic Hub After Capital Transfer” from Antara
Nation: “SOEs Committed to Expediting Coal Downstreaming” from Antara
Nation: “Bali Startup Camp Trains 154 Youths to Establish Startup Business” from Bali Bisnis (Indonesian)
Province: “Market Operations Guarantee Food Prices for the Community” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: “Ministry Commences Construction of Passenger Terminal at Sanur Port” from Antara
Education
“No Plan to Halt Face-to-face Learning” from Antara: Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said that the government will continue to implement face-to-face learning at schools despite a continued increase in the number of Omicron cases. "Face-to-face learning is still being conducted. If there are extraordinary events (regarding the Omicron spread), then a separate decision will be taken. Hence, we have no plan to halt face-to-face learning," Pandjaitan said. The minister noted that since the first case of Omicron was detected in Indonesia, there were no signs of an exponential increase in cases akin to what was observed in other countries.
Context: In related news, the Vice President said Covid-19 cases had noticeably increased nationwide, with the bulk of cases in Java and Bali.
More...
Bangli: “Hundreds of Elementary Schools in Bangli Get Laptops” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
“Bank Indonesia Urges Government to Look for Strategies to Bring More Archipelago Tourists to Bali” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
“Interview with Chair of the Bali Marginal Tourism Actors Alliance” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
“General Elections Slated for Feb 14, 2024” from Antara: The General Elections Commission and the Home Affairs Ministry have agreed to schedule the next general election for February 14, 2024. "We have proposed that it will be carried out on February 14," head of KPU, Ilham Saputra, said on Monday. The date will fall on a Wednesday—the day on which the general election is usually held in Indonesia, he said. "The date was also proposed at the first coordination meeting between the government and the DPR," he said. With the scheduled arrangement, it is hoped that there will be enough time if the general elections need to be implemented in two rounds, the minister said.
Of Interest
“Indonesian Child Actor Matthew White Passes Away at 12 Years Old” from Coconuts Bali
“Pecatu Traditional Village Agrees Not to Create Ogoh-Ogoh” from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
“Erosion at Klungkung Beaches Worsens, Presents Severe Financial Challenges” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“Two Thousand More Mangrove Trees Planted on Nusa Lembongan” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
“Disgraced District Head Has Private Prison Cells to Punish Workers” from The Jakarta Globe
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How You Can Help Bali
Due to the collapse of the tourism sector in Bali, tens of thousands of families have found themselves with a greatly reduced income—if any. If you’d like to support organizations working to help those in need, you can see a list of some here.
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