June 16, 2021
Gianyar's Blahbatuh Market burns down, 600 traders affected + Bali airport installs 20 PCR test booths in preparation for foreign tourist arrivals + Indonesia bans cryptocurrency payments + 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: The 55 new cases recorded yesterday edged the 7-day average up to 45. There were 30 recoveries, the lowest since October 23’s 33. There are 417 active cases.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"Blahbatuh Market Burns Down, 602 Traders Threatened With Loss of Stalls" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Blahbatuh Market on Jalan Wisma Gajah Mada, Gianyar, caught fire at around 17.30 WITA on Tuesday. The severe fire started with black smoke billowing from one of the stalls owned by traders in the corner of the market. Even before it spread to other merchants' stalls, several traders and eyewitnesses admitted that they heard a very loud bang. Traders tried to save their merchandise from the fire. The head of the Civil Service Police Service (Satpol PP) and the Gianyar Regency Fire Department, Made Watha, confirmed this. The Gianyar Pol PP and Fire Department deployed all their forces to the market and requested assistance from cross-district firefighters (Denpasar, Klungkung, Bangli, Badung). As of Tuesday evening, officers were still trying to cool the fire so that it would not spread to residential areas. Meanwhile, Head of the Gianyar Industry and Trade Agency, Ni Luh Gede Eka Suari, said there were a total of 602 traders in Blahbatuh Market. Regarding their fate, Eka Suari stated that it is still being assessed.
Context: There have been no reports so far of fatalities or injuries. Gianyar Regent, Made Mahayastra, has said that 619 traders will be relocated to Sutasoma Field, which can accommodate 800 traders. Before the fire, there was already a plan to relocate them to this site, because the relocation of Blahbatu Market to Yadnya Market had been planned for 2022. Fires in traditional markets are not uncommon in Indonesia; 35 traditional markets have burned down so far this year. In February 2016, one of Bali’s biggest traditional markets, Pasar Badung in Denpasar, burned down, resulting in approximately 2,000 vendors losing their stalls.
"Preparing for Bali to Open for Foreign Tourists, 20 PCR Test Booths Installed at Ngurah Rai Airport" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): Stakeholder Relations Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) Bali Branch Office, Taufan Yudhistira, said, "We, Angkasa Pura I as the manager of Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and the agencies in it are generally ready, once the government has set a date for receiving foreign tourists." Prospective passengers must have a negative PCR result health document from their country of departure, and they must fill out the e-HAC App before arriving at Bali nternational Airport. Upon entering the arrivals terminal, body temperature will be checked with a maximum temperature of 37.5 degrees. If they pass the temperature check, they will be directed to carry out a PCR test in the booth provided, with the sample then taken to the Immigration and Customs Counter. Next, they will go to the international arrival terminal exit and a taxi or car will pick them up to take them to the passenger's destination hotel, where they will then self-quarantine while waiting for the PCR test results to come out.
Context: On Monday we included this story that contains details about quarantine requirements for foreign tourists with and without vaccination certificates. It also mentioned foreign tourists would be collected from the airport in a Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environment (CHSE) certified vehicle.
"BI Bans Cryptocurrency Use as Payment Instrument, Financial Tool" from Antara: Governor of Indonesia's central bank, Bank Indonesia, Perry Warjiyo, stated, "We bar all financial institutions, especially partners of BI, from facilitating or using cryptocurrency as a payment instrument or service. It is not a legal payment instrument in accordance with the Constitution, the law on Bank Indonesia, and the law on currency," he pointed out. BI will deploy its supervisors to ensure that financial institutions comply with the law. Indonesia bans the use of cryptocurrencies in transactions, albeit permitting cryptocurrency trading. The instrument was viewed as having no fundamental basis and clear regulation in addition to being prone to speculation. BI is planning to launch a digital rupiah currency and is evaluating which platform it will use.
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Other Headlines
"All Three Variants in Indonesia, Vaccines Are Effective" from Indonesia Expat: Head of the DKI Jakarta Health Agency, Widyastuti, said that three variants of COVID-19; Alpha from England, Beta from South Africa, and Delta from India, have been found in the country. These three variants have been detected in 19 cases that have been examined by whole genome sequencing (WGS). He said the majority of the findings occurred in migrant workers who had a history of travel from other countries while only one – a health worker – is known to have been infected through local transmission. Public Health England (PHE) revealed in its latest research that the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine is 96% effective while Oxford/AstraZeneca is 92% effective at preventing hospitalisation due to the Delta variant. According to PHE, this level of protection is equivalent to the effectiveness of the vaccine against the Alpha variant (B117). “This very important finding proves that the vaccine provides significant protection against hospitalisation due to the Delta variant,” said Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at PHE.
Context: According to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the country has most likely been caused by the Delta variant. Health Ministry spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi said that authorities had found, through a whole-genome sequencing effort conducted in 12 provinces, 145 samples containing any one of three variants of concern. Of the 145 samples, 104 contained the Delta variant, 36 contained the Alpha variant, and 5 contained the Beta variant.
Vaccination Update
"Vaccination in Jembrana Only 42%, Regent Tamba Will Apply Rewards and Punishments" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): As of June 14, as many as 96,327 people in Jembrana have been vaccinated with the first dose. Meanwhile, the target is 224, 983 according to the number set by the province. This means that currently the vaccination in Jembrana has only reached 42.82% for the first dose. This has caused disappointment for Jembrana Regent I Nengah Tamba. “Is there low public awareness of the importance of vaccination or is it the lack of socialization? Now, this needs to be fixed," he said. With 37 days remaining until the target set by the Bali provincial Covid-19 task force ends on July 31, the Regent wants all lines to be maximized. This includes providing a reward and punishment system to encourage accelerated targets. "It can be in the form of delaying the payment of fixed income to employees, delaying the transfer of funds to villages where vaccination absorption is small, and delaying administrative services to people who refuse to be vaccinated according to the mandate of the presidential regulation," he explained.
More...
Jakarta: "Widodo Asks Jakarta to Ramp Up Vaccinations as Infections Soar" from Antara
Nation: "31 Million Covid-19 Vaccine Doses Administered in Indonesia: Minister" from Antara
Nation: "Indonesia to Begin Receiving Shipments of Novavax Vaccine in July" from Coconuts Jakarta
Buleleng: "Provincial Team Late, Vaccination Program in Buleleng Triggers Crowds" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Accelerate Covid-19 Vaccination, Buleleng Gets Additional 50,000 Doses Of Vaccines" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Hundreds of Foreigners in Sanur Vaccinated Against Covid-19" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"BNPB Transfers Control of Self-isolation Facilities to Local Govts" from Antara: The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has transferred the management of self-isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients operated out of hotels, inns, and guesthouses to local governments said head of health handling at the COVID-19 Task Force, Alexander K Ginting. "Management at the local government (level) will be more efficient and effective because it can directly touch the root of the problem of isolating residents who are positive for COVID-19." Though they will now be managed by local governments, the central government will continue to bear the cost of operating the self-isolation facilities in hotels, inns, and guesthouses. The transfer of control of the management of the self-isolation facilities to local governments would be carried out in stages.
More...
Jakarta: "Patients Wait for Available Beds at Wisma Atlet Covid-19 Quarantine Facility (Video)" from Coconuts Jakarta
Economy & Infrastructure
"BI Governor Projects 39% Rise in Digital Transactions in 2021" from Antara: Indonesia's digital transactions are estimated to rise nearly 39 percent in 2021 to reach Rp370 trillion amid restrictions on public activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Perry Warjiyo stated. "E-commerce can grow by 39%; e-money, 32%; and digital banking, 22%. " Warjiyo remarked that the growth in digital transactions will encourage economic recovery amid pressures from the pandemic. The digital economy is expected to help improve financial inclusiveness and equalize financial access. The central bank is sanguine that the digital economy's fast growth would drive development of micro-, small-, and medium-scale enterprises (MSME), and to this end, requisite steps should be taken through policies that prioritize safety and prudence. "This is an opportunity to support economic recovery and economic inclusion, including for MSMEs, but it also bears risks, including cyber risks," Warjiyo stated.
More...
Nation: "Tax Office Defends Proposed VAT on Education, Staple Foods" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "Rejected by DPR, Minister Nadiem Reviews Implementation of Education Tax" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Nation: "Indonesia Produces 3% of Drugs, Imports 97%: Minister" from Antara
Nation: "BPS Highlights Farm Workers' 0.14% Daily Wage Rise in May" from Antara
Nation: "Spending on Domestic Medical Devices is Still Low" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Province: "Local Cybercreation Fest, Effort to Awaken Digital Economy of Villages in Bali" from Sindonews (Indonesian)
Province: "Bali Can Redevelop Businesses in Aquaculture Sector, Especially Seaweed" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: "Only 11 Cafes in Kedonganan Operating" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Not Absorbed by Tourism Sector, Hydroponics Finds New Hobbyists" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Hundreds of Jembrana Migrant Workers Have Returned Abroad" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Directions and Issues of Integrated Infrastructure Development in Nusa Penida Islands Identified" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
"Bali Will Achieve Herd Immunity, Council Requests International Tourism to Open July 2021" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
"Towards Tourism Opening, Badung Prepares Supporting Health Facilities for PCR Swabs" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
"Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno Encourages More Parties to Participate in Work From Bali" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
"First Two Weeks of June 2021, Passenger Traffic at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport Reaches 15,000 per Day" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): Traffic or movement of domestic passengers at Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in the first two weeks of June 2021 saw a significant increase compared to May. "The total number of passengers we served during June 1-14 2021 was 218,499 people, or the average daily arrival and departure of 15,607 passengers," said Stakeholder Relations Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) International Airport Branch Office I Gusti Ngurah Rai. Bali, Taufan Yudhistira. And when compared to May 2021 passenger traffic, the two-week daily average in June increased by 79%. During May 2021, Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport served 270,588 passengers with an average per day of only 8,729 passengers. "Maybe this increase is due to the government program, namely Work From Bali and before the school holidays," added Taufan Yudhistira. According to him, that much passenger traffic is dominated by a number of big cities in Indonesia, namely Jakarta, Surabaya, Lombok, and Ujung Pandang [Makassar].
"Herd Immunity Claim From Bali’s Gianyar Regency Doesn’t Take Into Account Region’s Entire Population" from Coconuts Bali: Bali’s Gianyar regency claimed it has achieved herd immunity against COVID-19 with over 190,000 people in the region vaccinated, but the math doesn’t seem to add up. The regency’s officials appear to have made the claim based on the region’s vaccine-eligible population, not its entire population. According to the 2020 census, Gianyar’s total population is 515,344. As of this afternoon, the region — where Ubud is located — has reportedly managed to vaccinate a total of 194,113 people. That number is, of course, nowhere near 70% of its entire population, which is the targeted percentage to actually achieve herd immunity. Yet Gianyar regional secretary Ngakan Dharma Jati made the herd immunity claim regardless.
"Denpasar Customs and Excise Destroys Hundreds of Illegal and Counterfeit Liquor Bottles" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): Head of the Denpasar Customs and Excise Office, Kusuma Santi Wahyuningsih said, "Some are genuine but do not have excise stamps, but some are fake." He explained that the alcoholic beverages that were destroyed were the result of disclosure in the second half of 2020. The number decreased compared to 2019 because it was influenced by the minimal tourism in Bali due to the Covid-19 pandemic. "Compared to 2019, it's a long way off. Because tourism in Bali has declined a lot, so the distribution is also very small," he said. However, the circulation of illegal and counterfeit alcoholic beverages continues. The destroyed drinks were confiscated from several cafes. The total confiscated within a year reached 808 bottles of alcoholic beverages and 21,384 cigarettes. Losses due to the circulation of these illegal goods are estimated at Rp.83,273,671.
Of Interest
"Yasmin Church Gets New Location after 15-Year Standoff" from The Jakarta Globe
"Judge Knocks 6 Years Off Corruption Convict’s 10-year Sentence Because She’s a Woman" from Coconuts Jakarta
"Indonesia Mourns Passing of Badminton Legend Markis Kido" from Coconuts Jakarta
"19 Poisoned Denpasar Women's Prison Inmates Now Stable" from IDN Times Bali (Indonesian)
"In the Last Month, Polresta Reveals 27 Crimes in Denpasar Municipality" from Bali Puspa News (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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