July 8, 2021
Bali's cases spike, gov. says tracing up 200% + Local police to close social media accounts posting provocative content on PPKM + Nation prepares for worst-case scenario as cases & deaths surge + 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: Yesterday Bali passed 500 cases for the first time in nearly 6 months - since Jan 27 (540). On Jan 26, Bali reached its highest ever daily total of 542, which makes yesterday’s total the province's third-highest on record. 1 returned overseas traveler and 68 domestic travelers were among the cases. Of the 8 fatalities, 3 of them had a history of domestic travel. Active cases have almost passed 3000.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"Bali’s Cases Spike, Governor Koster Says Because Tracing Increased to 200%" from Bali Post (Indonesian): Governor Koster has said the impact of Emergency PPKM in Bali had not yet been seen, as cases are still increasing every day. Recoveries are still low compared to new cases, but there has been no significant increase in deaths. Active cases have reached 2,697. Of these, as many as 774 or 46% are in hospital, while 1,913 are in isolation. "Today (Wednesday) is the highest, with 505 new cases." Koster said the increase in cases is due to Bali increasing tracing to 200%. Before the Emergency PPKM, only 1,000 tracings were performed per day. Now Bali is tracing an average of more than 3,000 per day, resulting in an increase in case findings. Bali will continue to intensify tracing and testing and increase the availability of services at hospitals. Oxygen in Bali is reported to be sufficient for the next 3 months.
"Bali Police Threatens to Close Social Media Accounts Posting Provocative Comments on Emergency PPKM" from Suara Bali (Indonesian): The Directorate of Criminal Investigation of the Bali Police will take firm action against social media accounts that provoke the implementation of the Covid-19 Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) for the Java-Bali region. Those who are stubborn will be given strict sanctions, including having their social media accounts removed. According to the Director of General Criminal Investigation (Dir Reskrimum) of the Bali Police, Kombes Pol Djuhandani Rahardjo Puro, there are dozens of social media accounts being monitored. "We will take firm action against the owners of social media accounts who provoke during the implementation of this Emergency PPKM," he said.
"Indonesia Prepares for Worst-Case Scenario as Covid Cases and Deaths Set New Record" from The Jakarta Globe: The Indonesian government is anticipating a continued surge in newly Covid-19 cases by setting up more isolation facilities and securing medical supplies as daily figures hit a new high on Tuesday. The military and the police were ordered to erect tents as makeshift wards for Covid patients and the government mulls importing oxygen cylinders. The country has recorded 31,189 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2.3 million. Southeast Asia’s biggest country currently has around 324,500 active cases of the virus, with provinces in Java making up a vast majority. “The number can still increase to 40,000 cases or more. We are taking actions to cope with all possible scenarios in terms of medical supplies, oxygen, and hospital capacity,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said.
Context: Yesterday Indonesia's national caseload rose even higher with 34,379 cases recorded, along with 1,040 fatalities.
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Other Headlines
"BOR of Several Denpasar Hospitals Reaches 100%" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): The increase in Covid-19 cases in Bali has made the bed occupancy rate (BOR) in a number of referral hospitals continue to increase. The BOR of three hospitals has reached 100%. One of them is Wangaya Hospital Denpasar, the other two are Surya Husada Hospital with 57 beds, and Balimed Hospital with a capacity of 20 beds. Meanwhile, the BOR in several other hospitals also continues to increase to near full with an average figure of 78.30%. The following is the BOR at a number of hospitals in Denpasar: Bali Mandara Hospital 81.40%; Udayana Hospital 90%; Prima Medika Hospital 85%; Bali Royal Hospital 62%; Kasih Ibu Hospital 81%; Puri Raharja Hospital 84%; and Surya Husada Ubung Hospital 71%. Meanwhile, Sanglah Hospital Denpasar currently has a BOR of 68.52%. The hospital provides 153 beds for Covid-19 patients.
Vaccination Update
"Australia to Send 2.5m Astrazeneca Vaccine Doses to Indonesia as Covid Infections Soar" from The Guardian: Australia will send 2.5m AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Indonesia and will fund 1,000 ventilators as the country battles record-high Covid cases that are pushing the health system to breaking point. The aid package is in response to growing calls for Australia to help its most populous neighbour. The Australian foreign minister, Marise Payne, said she had spoken with her Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, to confirm “immediate health support”. “Australia stands with our close partner and neighbour Indonesia as it responds to a significant surge in Covid-19 cases,” Payne said. The government says the package includes $12m for oxygen-related and other medical equipment, including 1,000 ventilators, up to 700 oxygen concentrators, more than 170 oxygen cylinders and other medical supplies.
More...
Nation: "Over 14.44 Million Indonesians Fully Vaccinated Against Covid-19" from Antara
Nation: "Govt Advances New Vaccine Plan as Elderly Jabs Lag" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"Covid Entry Rules for Foreigners Align With Global Standards: Minister" from Antara: Foreign nationals entering Indonesia need to abide by standard procedures implemented globally, which also require them to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has said. Pandjaitan, who is also deputy chair of the National COVID-19 Handling and Economic Recovery Committee, said that aside from being fully vaccinated, foreign nationals will also need to take PCR swab tests prior to coming to Indonesia and once again upon their arrival. "They then have to stay under quarantine for eight days. Followed by another PCR test for which they have to test negative." Similar procedures are being implemented in other parts of the world, although different periods of quarantine are being enforced everywhere. He said that there is nothing out of the ordinary in the procedures being implemented for foreign nationals entering Indonesia. He also asked those speaking against the rules to seek information, adding that the policy of keeping the nation's borders open for foreign nationals is being implemented on a principle of reciprocity.
More...
Nation: "Indonesia Expands Nationwide Covid-19 Curbs" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "How to Get Free COVID-19 Self-Isolation Drugs Through Telemedicine" from Indonesia Expat
Nation: "Kimia Farma Increases Ivermectin Distribution in Java-Bali" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Nation: "Police Deploy Water Cannon to Disperse Crowds During PPKM" from Antara
Denpasar: "Tightened Crossing Rules from Sanur During Emergency PPKM" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Not Obeying Prokes, 4 Business Places Closed" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Not Bringing Vaccine Proof, Dozens of PPDNs Failed to Cross to Java" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Many Bus Passengers Have Not Been Vaccinated, Regent Tamba Angry" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Bali Tourism Closed, Residents in and Out of Karangasem Without Clear Purpose Will Be Expelled" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "PPKM Blocking in Goa Lawah, Hundreds of Vehicles Asked to Turn Back" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
"Number of Workers Laid-off in Bali Reaches 78,952" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): Head of the Bali Province Manpower and Energy and Mineral Resources Office, Ida Bagus Ngurah Arda, said the Covid-19 pandemic had paralyzed the tourism industry on the Island of the Gods, and had a direct impact on the workforce, especially in the formal sector. Based on data collected from 9 regencies/cities in Bali, as of Wednesday the number of laid-off workers on this island reached 78,952 people. According to Ngurah Arda, the laid-off workers are not solely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Other factors that affect the high number of layoffs are the age of workers who have entered retirement age, and work contracts that are no longer extended. Furthermore, he added, related to the implementation of the emergency community activity restriction (PPKM) from 3-20 July 2021, it was considered that it would not have a direct impact on the number of workers who were laid off. Because before this restriction was implemented, the Governor of Bali had written to the employers' association not to immediately lay off its workers.
More...
Nation: "Indonesia's Tax Receipts Rise 4.9% in First Half of 2021" from Antara
Nation: "Gojek Exits Thai Market, Sells Business to Airasia" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "Indonesian Handicraft Exports to Japan Reach US$10.32 Million" from Antara
Nation: "Shopee Removes Health Products That Violate Rules" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
"A Dilemma, Suyasa Hopes Tourism Will Open With Strict Procedures" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
"Hospitals Full, Hotel in Kuta Becomes Quarantine Location for Patients with Mild Symptoms" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): A number of hospitals in Bali cannot accept Covid-19 patients because the available beds are full. The Bali government has made a hotel with a capacity of 190 beds a quarantine location, said Secretary of the Bali Covid-19 Task Force, I Made Rentin. Rentin said the hotel is the Ibis Hotel which is located in the Kuta area, Badung Regency. As of Wednesday, the hotel has received Covid-19 patients, but specifically those with mild symptoms. The Covid-19 task force in each city/regency will conduct screening to manage patients who will be transferred to the Ibis Hotel in Kuta. "Only mild ones are taken to the hotel. Those with moderate and severe symptoms remain in the referral hospital," he said.
"12 People Nabbed in Bali Café Raid as it Remained Open During Emergency PPKM" from Coconuts Bali: Three waitresses and nine customers at a café in Buleleng regency were apprehended during a police raid, as the restaurant remained open despite tightened restrictions. Police say the café, located on Jalan Pidada, appeared to have its lights off and closed from the outside, but was actually operating as normal when officers went in, and thus in violation of the ongoing Emergency Enforcement of Restriction on Public Activities (Emergency PPKM), which prohibits dine-in at restaurants until at least July 20. The 12 people were then taken to the police station for statements. The Bali Police has reportedly set up 30 checkpoints across the province to support the ongoing Emergency PPKM. Officials say mobility in Bali has decreased since the start of the latest restrictions on Saturday, but claim that it is still higher than what they were aiming for.
"1,200 Komodo Dragons in Komodo National Park Implanted with Tracking Chips" from Republika (Indonesian): The Komodo National Park Office noted that chip implantation aims to monitor the presence of these animals in Komodo National Park, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. He said there were 10 points of Komodo habitat where chip implantation occurred. The points consist of four on Komodo Island, four on Rinca Island, and Nusa Kode and Gili Motang each have one point. Lukita explained that the implantation of the chip was aimed at making it easier to monitor the condition of the Komodo dragons and to ensure the food chain continues to run naturally. "Thus the habitat of Komodo dragons is maintained. Not only Komodo dragons but also related to the existence of other species such as turtles, cockatoos, including deer that are prey for Komodo dragons," he explained. One chip implantation activity costs around Rp.75 million.
Of Interest
"Importance of the Pakelem Ceremony at Sea in Balinese Hinduism" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
"Covid Deniers’ Spin on Bo Burnham’s ‘Welcome to the Internet’ Sparks Outrage in Indonesia" from Coconuts Jakarta
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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