July 6, 2021
"No vax, no fly" policy an issue for foreigners + Sanglah hospital ensures safe oxygen cylinder supplies + Indonesia turns to telemedicine as daily new cases rise to 3rd highest in the world + more
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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.
Local Covid Numbers
*Note: For the first time in almost 5 months, Bali passed 400 new cases yesterday (since Feb 9's 453). 14 foreigners were among them; 6 who had traveled domestically and 8 local transmissions. There were 7 deaths, bringing July's fatalities so far to 32. The 7-day average is now 306.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers. And in case you missed it, check out Sunday’s update for a summary of last week’s overall totals, with perspective on how they stack up against previous weeks, detailed breakdowns of the virus’ spread on a Regency-by-Regency level, and the national task force’s risk assessment for each district/city across the country.
The Big News
"Foreigners Must Now Be Vaccinated to Fly Into/Out of Bali, but Getting the Jab an Issue" from Coconuts Bali: Indonesia’s new no vax, no fly policy is sending foreign nationals in Bali into a frenzy, from anti-vaxxers condemning the move, to travelers who prefer to get the COVID jab in their home countries, to those frustrated with not being able to get vaccinated even if they wanted to. Foreigners who are already in Indonesia and are wishing to travel within the country are subject to domestic travel rules for Indonesian nationals, with one notable rule being that they are allowed to travel after having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 jab as well as a negative test result. The new regulation was met with strong reactions from foreign nationals, who took to social media to air their frustrations. One Facebook user said they recently arrived in Jakarta from the Netherlands and intended to travel to Bali, but are now unable to do so because they “do not want to be vaccinated.”
"Sanglah Bali Hospital Ensures Safe Oxygen Cylinder Supplies" from Republika (Indonesian): The President Director of Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar, Dr. I Wayan Sudana, ensured that the supply of oxygen for medical needs in handling COVID-19 was sufficient and safe. He asked the public not to worry. "Regarding the supply of oxygen, we have monitored the distribution and production. Then, communicated with vendors and officers who distributed it, for Bali (the supply) is still sufficient." Regarding the service for COVID-19 patients at Sanglah Hospital, Dr. Sudana explained that there were 161 beds in the isolation room. The number of patients was 104 people. He explained that the percentage of bed occupancy rate (BOR) was recorded at 64.6% as of July 2021, and Sanglah Hospital is also preparing to add beds. Previously there were up to 202 beds available but due to a decrease in cases, the number of beds was reduced. "Then as of June 17 every day there was an increase in cases and we returned the number of beds to 202 beds to treat COVID-19 patients," he said.
"Please, Stay at Home: Indonesia Turns to Telemedicine as New Cases Rise to 3rd Highest in the World" from The Jakarta Globe: The government has decided to provide free telemedicine services to monitor Covid-19 patients who are self-isolating at home to ease the burden at overloaded hospitals across the country. 11 private-run telemedicine platforms, including Alodokter, GetWell, Good Doctor, GrabHealth, Halodoc, KlikDokter, KlinikGo, Link Sehat, Milvik Doctor, ProSehat, SehatQ, and YesDok, will provide doctor consultation services and drug delivery services, all paid for by the Ministry of Health. Covid-19 patients with oxygen saturation levels above 95%, having no shortness of breath and no comorbidities, were the ideal recipients of the telemedicine services. Therefore, they do not need to go to the hospitals to see doctors and get treatments, further stressing the overloaded facilities. Indonesia reported more than 27,000 new cases on Sunday, the highest in the world after India and Brazil. The most populous country in Southeast Asia also saw 555 people died from the disease, setting a new daily fatality record.
Context: Yesterday Indonesia recorded its highest single-day case and fatality totals respectively with almost 30,000 cases (29,745) and 558 deaths.
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Other Headlines
"All Events Postponed, Bali Opened When Infection Rate Below 100" from Detik Travel (Indonesian): Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said there are several conditions that must be met [for reopening], one of which is that the daily Covid-19 infection rate must be below 100 cases. In addition, the coronavirus vaccination must reach 70-80%. Finally, he said Bali will be opened when the implementation of CHSE is complete. "In addition, the scheme prepared for Bali is of course carried out by looking at the situation and the existing data. When the condition of the Covid-19 transmission rate increases, of course health becomes the main priority," he added.
Context: The tourism minister has previously said that he wants to see Bali’s daily cases drop to 30-40 before international tourism reopens. The tourism ministry publishes the list of all CHSE-certified businesses in Bali, of which there are 1006 so far.
Vaccination Update
"Bali Airport Opens Vaccination for Eligible Passengers" from Indonesia Expat: Bali I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has opened a special COVID-19 vaccination service for prospective airplane passengers. The terms and conditions for the COVID-19 vaccination for Indonesian citizens are that an original ID (KTP) or original family card (Kartu Keluarga) and photocopies are required, as well as tickets or e-tickets for departing flights. Prospective passengers must be at least 12 years old and get vaccinated a maximum of one day before the date of departure. Meanwhile, foreigners traveling must bring original documents or photocopies of KITAS or KITAP, according to Health Ministry regulation No. 18 of 2021. The location of the COVID-19 vaccination is in the arrival area of the domestic terminal at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali. It is open every day from 9 am to 3 pm.
More...
Nation: "Govt Scales Up Vaccine Deals, Rollout Amid Devastating 'Second Wave'" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "Indonesia Increases Health Spending, Wants Vaccinations Day and Night" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Province: "Bali Facilitates Covid Vaccines for Domestic Travelers, These are the Conditions" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: "Simultaneous Child Vaccinations in Six Districts" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Bangli: "Bangli Regency Government Starts Covid-19 Vaccination for Students" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "More Than 67,000 Children and Adolescents Aged 12-17 Years in Denpasar City Will Undergo Covid-19 Vaccination" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Gianyar Starts Covid-19 Vaccination for Children and Adolescents" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Jembrana Starts Vaccination for Children" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Vaccination of Children Age 12-17 in Klungkung Simultaneously Held in 5 Public Junior High Schools" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "30,000 Students in Tabanan Targeted for Vaccination" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"Java-Bali Immigration Services Temporarily Suspended" from Indonesia Expat: The Directorate General of Immigration at the Law and Human Rights Ministry has temporarily suspended face-to-face immigration services at all immigration offices in Java and Bali from 5-20th July 2021. Services for foreigners such as residence permits and face-to-face immigration services are also stopped. Foreign guarantors or foreigners can apply for an extension of residence permit or other visa applications online. “During this emergency PPKM period, the immigration office only opens passport services for Indonesian citizens with urgent needs,” said Head of Public Relations and General Affairs of the Directorate General of Immigration, Arya Pradhana Anggakara. The cessation of face-to-face immigration services, said Arya, is temporary and will continue to be evaluated according to the direction of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force.
Context: This is the Directorate General of Immigration website and this is the online visa application/extension page.
More...
Nation: "Emergency PPKM: Procedures to Enter Indonesia" from Indonesia Expat
Nation: "Indonesia Prepares to Import Oxygen as Coronavirus Cases Rise" from Antara
Nation: "President Calls for Prompt Disbursal of Social Protection Aid" from Antara
Nation: "Hoarding of Drugs, Oxygen Crime Against Humanity: Ministry" from Antara
Province: "If Emergency PPKM is Extended, Aprindo Bali Expects Many Employees to Be Victims" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: "Passengers Complain about Vaccination Provisions at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali Maximum 1 Day Before Departure" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Preventing Crowds, Gianyar Police Post Temporary Closing Banners" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
"Medical Tourism Considered Right Choice to Revive Bali Tourism" from Republika (Indonesian): The Head of Bank Indonesia's Bali Office, Trisno Nugroho, views medical tourism as a smart choice to revive the tourism world on the Island of the Gods. "Now is the momentum for Bali to see various strategies, opportunities, innovations to bring tourists to Bali. We see the development of medical tourism as one of the mainstays of Bali tourism," said Trisno Nugroho. According to Trisno, medical tourism in Bali has five advantages. First, people's attention is currently devoted to the world of health. "There are so many Indonesian citizens who visit Singapore and Malaysia just to meet their health needs. This opportunity can be utilized as well as possible by Bali," he said. Second, the Health Human Resources Empowerment Development Agency of the Ministry of Health stated that Bali has more than 3,000 medical doctors. Third, Bali has the support of adequate health facilities and infrastructure. Bali has at least five international standard hospitals in tourist centers. Medical tourism is also supported by the availability of other health services, namely wellness tourism. Trisno added that the Covid-19 pandemic had indeed forced the tourism world to change the orientation of tourism from mass tourism to quality tourism. "One type of quality tourism that is very precisely adapted to the potential and advantages of Bali is medical tourism," he said.
More...
Nation: "Indonesia's Budget Deficit Reaches 1.72% of GDP in First Half of Year: Govt" from Antara
Nation: "Govt Expects Debt to Rise Until at Least 2022" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "Govt Revises Downward Q3 Growth Forecast to 3.7-4%" from Antara
Province: "Emergency PPKM, 90% of Car Rental Bookings in Bali Canceled" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: "In Last Two Days, Passenger Movement at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport Decreases Sharply" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
"Bali Tourism Opening Canceled Due to Emergency PPKM, Council Member Tjok Agung: Don't Force Your Will" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): With the Emergency PPKM, the plan to open Bali tourism at the end of July 2021 is confirmed to be canceled. "In this situation, no one should blame each other, especially those in politics, don't look for a political stage," he explained. He also said that in the emergency PPKM condition, it was hoped that the Balinese people would not blame each other. In fact, the Balinese people should unite with each other, work hand in hand to break the chain of the spread of Covid-19 in Bali. One of them is by strictly adhering to health protocols. Regarding the public's hope for assistance from the government during Emergency PPKM, he said that the executive and legislature needed to discuss the matter. "When it comes to assistance, everyone needs help too, let's obey the rules. If it's refocusing, we have to sit down with the legislature and the executive," he explained.
"Emergency PPKM Doesn't Stop Work From Bali Program Preparation" from Kompas (Indonesian): "Emergency PPKM must be obeyed totally. Therefore, until July 20, as long as the Emergency PPKM is in effect, we comply by putting the brakes on all mobility. We are 100% WFH. Especially for Bali as well, Work From Bali activities and vaccine tourism in Bali have been temporarily postponed. The preparations are not postponed," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno. In addition, Sandiaga explained that he had discussed with the Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster regarding his decision. “As of July 20, (based on) the results of my discussion with the Governor of (Bali), it is with a heavy heart that I can accept the decision of the Emergency PPKM. But please accelerate the realization of grant assistance, incentive assistance to tourism actors and the creative economy community in Bali," he said.
"‘Humanitarian Disaster’: Why Australia Must Help Fight Indonesia’s Spiralling Covid Catastrophe" from The New Daily: Human rights organisations are pleading with the Australian federal government to deliver urgent assistance in vaccines and oxygen to Indonesia as our near neighbour battles a terrifying third wave of COVID-19. “This is scary,” said Andreas Harsono, a Human Rights Watch researcher in Jakarta, where many hospitals are full and the death toll is rapidly rising in Indonesia’s biggest COVID outbreak since the start of the pandemic. “The situation in Indonesia is verging on a catastrophe,” warned Amnesty International’s Tim O’Connor. Those infection numbers may be “dramatically under-representative of reality”, notes the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Indonesia director David Engel, as the country has “one of the lowest testing rates in the world”. Local media reported the health system on the island of Java is “paralysed” and “collapsed”, facing “its darkest pandemic days” as hospitals run out of oxygen and basic supplies. The World Health Organisation’s latest situation reports warn hospitals are at “full capacity”. The Australian government has pledged $77 million to Indonesia to help procure vaccines through the COVAX program.
Of Interest
"46 Countries to Help Indonesia Collect Taxes From Overseas Citizens" from Antara
"'Call of Duty': Indonesian Bikers Brave Covid-19 Surge to Escort Ambulances" from Reuters
"'Young Soeharto': Jenkins Details Potentially Formative Events in Ex-president's Early Years" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
"Bad Weather, Java-Bali Crossing Closed For Three Hours" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Jerinx SID: Someone Wants to Jail Me Again, Even Though I've Apologized" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
"Explanation of Curious Spirits in Hinduism in Bali" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
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 TheBaliBeat@outlanders.global.
About This Newsletter
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