January 31, 2022
Singapore Airlines to resume flights to Bali on Feb. 16 + Bali Governor suggests rise in Covid-19 cases may be due to Omicron + Minister of Tourism exposes alleged quarantine trap + 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: Yesterday’s new cases of 359 was the highest number in Bali since August 1 last year. Likewise the number of cases in treatment is at the highest level since late September 2021.
The Big News
“Singapore Airlines to Resume Flights to Bali on February 16, 2022” from Antara: Singapore Airlines is planning to resume daily commercial flight from Singapore to Bali on February 16. SIA will operate Boeing B787-10 with a capacity of 337 seats for the flight route The seats comprise 36 business class seats and 301 economic class seats. "The plan to resume daily flight to Bali is part of SIA's long-term commitment to boosting the Indonesian tourism industry. SIA's passenger network currently covers 64 destinations in 34 countries and we will do the best to promote Indonesia," Singapore Airlines General Manager for Indonesia Alvin Seah said on Sunday.
Context: A Ngurah Rai Airport spokesperson said on Saturday that preparations for the flights were being discussed, but did not say Singapore Airlines had requested landing slots, nor that the Indonesian government had approved the request. You can see an updated list of quarantine hotels in Bali here.
“Governor of Bali on the Fast Rate of Covid-19: Most likely Omicron” from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian): Bali Governor Wayan Koster said that until now there have been no cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in his area. "In Bali, so far it has not been found (Omicron). However, now there is a testing process in the Ministry of Health laboratory. However, if you look at the speed in the past few days, it is most likely Omicron," he said on Friday. "Most of them are asymptomatic or mild symptoms, and those who have recovered are quite high, those who die are stagnant. This means that the risk is not too bad for people affected by Covid-19," he said.
Context: In can take five days to screen for Omicron and Indonesia’s supply of labs that can do the screening is limited to 12 labs nationwide. Bali’s government has made repeated statements saying there are no confirmed cases of Omicron in Bali, suggesting instead the increase was due to massive testing efforts. Yesterday Bali added 359 new positive cases—on January 1, the total of new cases were one.
“Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Exposes Alleged Quarantine Trap” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): The Minister of Tourism, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, has exposed an alleged quarantine 'game' targeting foreign tourists. He said a Ukrainian tourist planned to vacation with his child to Bali, then underwent quarantine according to the rules. However, on the last day of quarantine, the results of the PCR test were positive, even though they claimed to have no symptoms. The tourist asked for help to do a PCR test again, but the officers did not allow them to carry out tests from parties other than those provided by quarantine officials. They were then offered a quarantine extension at a large cost. Sandi said he immediately responded by sending a team from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. After the Kemenparekraf team intervened, the tourist was retested and the results were negative.
Context: There have been repeated reports on social media regarding foreign tourists testing positive towards the end of their quarantine stay, then being refused a second test to confirm the result, instead being forced into a prolonged quarantine stay at substantial expense.
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The Movement of Recovery (Yayasan Pergerakan Pemulihan) is one of the main drivers of mental health services in Bali. Together with BBB Community, they launched LISA (Love Inside Suicide Awareness), a helpline which offers support in Bahasa Indonesian and English. They offer free counselling and support for those in need. For more information, please visit their website here.
Want to share your message with the most engaged members of the foreigner community in Bali? Click here to learn how to place a classified ad.
Other Headlines
“Bali Will Become Vaccine Research Center in Indonesia” from Suara Bali (Indonesian): A vaccine research center will be built in Bali. The government will cooperate with a number of world-renowned pharmaceutical companies including Merck, Pfizer, and Cansino. "In the future there will be findings of new vaccines, we don't know, but what is clear is that in Bali we will create a research center for vaccines. We are the same as Merck, Pfizer and Cansino," said Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on Sunday. According to Luhut, Indonesia will soon start producing a domestically made vaccine, namely the Merah Putih vaccine. "And it (the red and white vaccine) will start in June this year 2022 and it will be in production," he added.
Context: Last week it was announced the Merah Putih vaccine would be delayed by a year, with production now slated for 2023.
Vaccination Update
“Indonesia to Prioritize Astrazeneca as Booster Vaccine in Q1 2022” from Antara: The Indonesian Government would prioritize the use of AstraZeneca vaccine as booster dose in the first quarter of 2022, an official of the Health Ministry said. "For the first quarter of 2022, booster vaccine allocation will prioritize AstraZeneca vaccine considering its ample supply," the ministry's spokesperson for COVID-19 vaccination, Siti Nadia Tarmidzi, said on Sunday. The booster vaccination could be conducted simultaneously in all districts/cities regardless the achievement of 70% vaccination target and 60% of first dose vaccination for the elderly.
More...
Nation: “Cooperation Expedites Booster Vaccination Before G20 Summit” from Antara
Nation: “Indonesia Receives Vaccine Donations From Germany, Sweden” from Antara
Nation: “127.7 Million Indonesians are Fully Vaccinated” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Gap Between Local Transmission, Imported Omicron Cases Narrowing” from Antara: The number of locally transmitted Omicron cases is now almost matching the number of cases imported from international travelers in Jakarta, Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said on Friday. "It is getting closer. It used to be dominated by imported cases," he said. According to data provided by Jakarta's Health Office as of Thursday, the number of Omicron cases has reached 2,404, he said. This figure comprises 1,309 or 54.5% imported cases and 1,095 or 45.5% local transmission cases, he said. The picture is vastly different from Tuesday, when imported cases were pegged at 1,166 or 68.7% and local transmission cases at 531 or 31.3%, he said.
More...
Nation: “Third Covid Wave Looms in Indonesia as Omicron Spreads” from AP
Nation: “Epidemiologist Advises Omicron-affected Regions to Impose Level 4 PPKM” from Antara
Nation: “Immediately Activate Village-level Covid-19 Command Posts: Task Force” from Antara
Jembrana: “Covid-19 Cases in Jembrana Spread to 32 Villages” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Klungkung: “Klungkung Prepares Isoter Center” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
Nation: “New Government Regulation Expected to Boost Mangrove Restoration” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “SOEs as "Aircraft Carrier" for Indonesia's Economy: Minister” from Antara
Nation: “Indonesia Starts Testing Palm Oil Based Gasoline” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Education
“There Are Many Schools in Jembrana Where Students Are Exposed to Covid” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Schools where students are confirmed positive for Covid-19 are increasing, with cases in a number of schools including elementary, junior high and high school or equivalent. However, for the time being, schools with positive cases are still undergoing face-to-face learning at school, except for classes where there are students who are confirmed positive for Covid-19. The head of the Jembrana Education, Youth and Sports Office, Ni Nengah Wartini, said that until yesterday there were already two elementary schools and one junior high school where several students and teachers were exposed. Plus one high school which also has positive students. "The health center has carried out tracking and testing in schools whose students are positive," he said.
More...
Nation: “Direct Learning in Limbo Again as Virus Spreads in Schools” from Antara
Bali Reopening
“Only 41 Foreign Tourists Visited Bali in 2021, Open Border Hasn't Helped Tourism Recovery” from Bali Prawara (Indonesian): Deputy Governor of Bali Prof. Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati said that the open international border has not had a significant effect on the recovery of the tourism sector. His party noted that only 41 foreign tourists entered Bali. He also mentioned a number of policies that need to be studied. First, the requirements for direct flights to Bali must be evaluated because it is impossible for airlines from Europe to send a plane with only 25 passengers with a long flight duration. Second, the complicated mechanism for managing visas. The quota of 1,500 foreigners per day for destinations throughout Indonesia is also very small.
Context: While strictly speaking correct, the figure of 41 tourists does not include the thousands who have entered on business visas.
More...
“Chinese New Year Expected to Stimulate Tourist Visits” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
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Of Interest
“Tumpek Uye, Tabanan Releases Thousands of Fish and Animal Seeds in Lake Beratan” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
“Five Naval Warships to Secure MotoGP Championship in Mandalika” from Antara
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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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