June 21, 2021
Cases rise to 3 digits, Balinese asked to reduce mobility + Vaccination should reach 70% to reopen Bali says virologist + National public health association encourages regional lockdown + 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: There were 106 new cases reported in Bali yesterday, with 1 of them contracted by an Indonesian returning from overseas. This pushed the 7-day average up to 84, the highest since May 14 (90). Active cases rose to 704, the highest since May 28 (717). There were 2 deaths reported, bringing total fatalities to 1,535.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers, which includes a look back at last week’s overall totals, as well as the National Covid-19 Task Force’s risk assessment for Bali’s regencies/city and the nation.
The Big News
"Cases Rise to Three Digits, Balinese Asked to Reduce Mobility" from Republika (Indonesian): In recent days there has been an increase in new cases of Covid-19 on the Island of the Gods. "Reduce mobility if it's not urgent or an important matter. It's better to stay at home or limit meetings and gathering with many people," said Secretary of the Bali Province Covid-19 Task Force, Made Rentin. On Saturday, the addition of new cases of Covid-19 in the Province of Bali again touched three digits, namely 155 people. Previously, on Wednesday there were 67 new cases recorded, on Thursday 65 cases, and on Friday as many as 95 cases. In the previous weeks, the daily Covid-19 cases had been sloping with the average addition of cases below 50. Regarding the trend of increasing Covid-19 cases in Bali, according to Rentin, this is most likely due to gathering for activities. "Currently, several activities have been carried out, of course bringing people together. Now the risk of transmission increases when the event involves eating or drinking. Worse still, crowding and chatting together, this is a risk of transmission," he said. "Don't ignore protocols even though you've been vaccinated. Feeling immune is very wrong because even though you've been vaccinated, the potential for infection is still there."
"Udayana University Virologist: Ideally Vaccination Should Be 70% to Open Bali Tourism" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): A virologist from Udayana University, Prof. Dr. I Gusti Ngurah Kade Mahardika, urged the government to accelerate the Covid-19 vaccination in Bali. To open up the Island of the Gods to foreign tourists, ideally the Covid-19 vaccination coverage in this province should have reached 70% of the population, he said. Mahardika said the 70% vaccination coverage was for at-risk groups, aged 18 years and over. "Not only for the elderly, but also prioritized for those who belong to active social groups such as students and high school children." According to him, at least Bali must immediately catch up with the Covid-19 vaccination coverage for the second dose to reach more than 50%. Based on data from the Bali Province Covid-19 Handling Task Force, as of Friday, June 18, 1,874,213 Balinese people have received the first dose [62.47% of the targeted 3 million], while 706,089 have received the second dose [23.54% of the target].
"Covid Soars, Government Asked to Implement Regional Lockdown" from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian): The Indonesian Public Health Association (IAKMI) Representative Council head Herman Saputra encouraged the government to implement radical policy to end the current surge in Covid-19 cases. Hermawan said the government had two options at this time, namely a strict PSBB [large scale social restrictions] or a regional lockdown. "The government must be radical. There are two options, whether PSBB as it was before, or the regional lockdown which would be limited to the big islands. The most radical option is of course a regional lockdown, but it is the most logical." He emphasized that the lockdown could severely cut off the mobility of people. "That's the most real way. Otherwise, the economy will continue to decline." Several regions have begun to tighten health protocols as a result of the surge in Covid-19 cases. DKI Jakarta has again extended the micro-scale PPKM until June 28, 2021. Meanwhile, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil has set Greater Bandung to be on alert for Covid-19. Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubowono X has called for a lockdown to suppress the spread of the coronavirus.
Context: Indonesia's national caseload reached a four-month high of 13,737 yesterday, 12,906 on Saturday, and 12,990 on Friday.
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Other Headlines
"Indonesia Shortens Christmas Break" from Coconuts Jakarta: Indonesia has canceled the collective leave day on Dec. 24, thus shortening the Christmas break in hopes of preventing yet another post-holiday COVID-19 surge. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy announced today that the only remaining collective leave day for the year — which is traditionally given the day before Christmas to extend the break — has been removed from the calendar. One may be forgiven for doubting that the cancelation would have any effect, given that in 2020, Indonesia shortened the Christmas and New Year breaks and yet still saw a surge in cases in the beginning of 2021. In addition, the government has also moved around a couple of mid-week holidays to, in theory, prevent people giving themselves extended weekends. The Islamic New Year holiday, which falls on Tuesday, Aug. 10, will now be observed on Wednesday, Aug. 11 instead. Similarly, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, which falls on Tuesday, Oct. 19, will be observed a day later as well. Other upcoming Tuesday holidays, namely Eid al-Adha (July 20) and Independence Day (Aug. 17), have not been moved.
Vaccination Update
Nation: "Over 12.21 Million Indonesians Fully Vaccinated Against Covid-19" from Antara
Nation: "Indonesia Gets Another 10 Million Doses of Sinovac Bulk Vaccines" from Antara
Province: "Covid-19 Vaccination Rate for Elderly Reaches 93% in Bali" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "High Enthusiasm, 222,137 Residents in Buleleng Already Vaccinated" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "More Than 8,000 Migrant Workers in Bali Complete the Covid-19 Vaccination" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Target 19,026 People, Vaccination in Batubulan 'Only' Captured 7,745" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Citizen Participation in Covid-19 Vaccination Increasing" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Tabanan Prison Inmates Haven't Been Vaccinated, This is Tabanan's Health Office's Plan" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"Anticipating Spread of New Variants of Covid-19, Denpasar Will Conduct Antigen Tests in Crowded Places" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): In order to optimize and improve the handling of Covid-19 in Denpasar City and anticipate the spread of new variants of Covid-19, the Denpasar City Covid-19 Handling Task Force will conduct a random Antigen Rapid Test at several crowded points such as Puputan Badung Field, Taman Lumintang city and Sanur beach. Spokesperson for the Denpasar City Covid-19 Task Force, Dewa Gede Rai, said this step was taken because he saw the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in other areas. "Earlier, the Mayor of Denpasar, IGN Jaya Negara, who was accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Denpasar, I Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa, instructed the Task Force to take strategic steps in handling Covid-19 considering that cases have started to increase, so don't be careless so cases can explode like Kudus or even in Bangkalan.”
More...
Nation: "Govt Expedites Genome Analysis Process to Detect Covid-19 Variants" from Antara
Bangli: "Preventing New Clusters, Prokes at Bangli Tourist Attractions Tightened" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Dozens of Visitors to Puputan Field Take Random Antigen Rapid Tests" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Additional Covid-19 Cases Show Upward Trend, Denpasar Prohibits Access to Puputan Field" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Large-Scale Patrol, Gianyar Police Reminds the Implementation of Prokes" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Preventing the Spread of Covid-19 from Black Zone, Bali's Entrance and Exit Tightened" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Dozens of Karangasem Residents Without Masks Nabbed by Yustisi Team" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
"Badung Ensures Development of Southern Ring Road Megaproject Continues" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The South Ring Road (JLS) megaproject development plan in Badung Regency, Bali Province is certain to continue. Certainty regarding the continuation of the JLS development project, as conveyed by the Secretary of Badung, I Wayan Adi Arnawa recently. The construction of JLS infrastructure in Badung Regency aims to reduce the impact of congestion on several roads and provide alternative access links to tourism areas. "The construction of JLS infrastructure in Badung Regency has a very important and strategic role in order to support the smoothness and convenience of various international activities and events held in Bali and Badung Regency in particular," he said. "We as the ones in charge of the cooperation project (PJPK) are strongly committed to implementing the directions and notes given by the Ministry of Finance and to the success of the Badung South Ring Road PPP project in the eyes of national and international investors."
More...
Nation: "Indonesia Booked Trade Surplus of US$2.36 Billion in May 2021" from Antara
Nation: "IDX Suspends Trading of Garuda Indonesia Shares After Airline Defaults on Sukuk Payments" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "Indonesia Ratifies Tax Treaty With UAE" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "Global Arabica Coffee Price Rise Not Helping Indonesian Farmers" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "Ministry: Investors in Indonesian Films Have Become More Varied" from Antara
Province: "Deputy Governor Cok Ace Asks Balinese Entrepreneurs Not to Sell Assets Because Tourism is Quiet" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Construction of Three Bridges Worth Rp.14 Billion Begins" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Karangasem Besieged by Disaster, River Overflows, Heavy Equipment Swept Away" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
"ASITA Bali Hopes Quarantine Time for Foreign Tourists Less than 5 Days" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): When Bali is reopened to foreign tourists, which is planned for July, the Government will implement several schemes related to the arrival of foreign tourists (tourists). One of them is by conducting PCR examinations for tourists visiting Bali and later after the fifth day of quarantine, the tourists will be re-evaluated. After the results show that they are free from Covid-19, then the tourists are allowed to go out and travel in Bali. In response to this, Chair of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies Bali branch, I Ketut Ardana, explained that his party certainly wanted the quarantine time to be reduced to just 2 days. "Because for foreign tourists from ASEAN countries, their length of stay is only 4 days/3 nights. We expect China because Bali is their favorite destination, but their average length of stay is only 5 days/4 nights. Imagine a 5-day quarantine. Those who can quarantine for 5 days may be those from Australia, Europe, America because their length of stay is long, 10 days and above. But when can we bring in foreign tourists from those countries?"
More...
"Requesting WFB and 'Open Border' Continue, This is the Argument of Bali Tourism Stakeholders" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
"Fate of Work From Bali Threatened by Work From Home Rules, This is Kadispar's Response" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
"Supporting Work From Bali, Various Preparations Have Been Done at The Nusa Dua" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
"Bali Tourism Opening Plan in July 2021, Kariyasa Adnyana Asks for Tighter Implementation of Prokes" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Education
Nation: "Fate of Non-formal Teachers in Jeopardy, Experts Say" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
"Towards End of June, Passenger Traffic Increases" from Bali Express (Indonesian): Air passenger traffic, both domestic arrivals and departures, experienced an increase of approximately 80% compared to the previous month. "Until June 19, 2021, the highest number of arrivals was on June 18, 2021, which almost touched 10,000, or to be precise, 9,940 passengers came to Bali. On the other hand, the highest departure data occurred in early June or June 1, 2021 with 9,976 passengers, almost touching 10,000," said Stakeholder Relations Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) Branch Office of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, Taufan Yudhistira. At the domestic arrival terminal from the beginning of June to June 19, there were 162,485 passengers. Meanwhile, for domestic departures, there were 156,826 passengers. When compared to passenger traffic in May, overall, both arrivals and departures, only reached 268,540 passengers.
"People with Disabilities in Bali Ask State to Implement Disability Law" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Even though it was enacted five years ago (Law Number 18 of 2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities), there are still many people with disabilities who have not benefited from its existence. On the other hand, many people with disabilities, especially in a number of remote areas in Bali, have not yet experienced a concrete form of the realization of government programs for people with disabilities. This was revealed when the volunteer team Member of Commission III DPR RI, Wayan Sudirta came down to provide assistance for people with disabilities in Labasari Village, Abang District, Karangasem. The social activity was carried out from 18-20 June 2021 by visiting and giving small donations and charity money for 21 people with disabilities on a regular basis, this team found that many people with disabilities were still in poor condition.
"Blahbatuh Market Traders' Temporary Relocation Place Begins to be Flattened" from Bali Express (Indonesian): The temporary relocation place for the Blahbatuh Public Market traders is starting to be leveled. The 24 acres of land was borrowed from residents to accommodate traders who were victims of the Blahbatuh Public Market fire, before the relocation market is completed. Meanwhile, from observations at the Blahbatuh Public Market, which is now scorched, several scrap metal scavengers have been searching the debris of fire. Local children also helped dig up the remains of the fire. One of the children, Kadek, admitted that he was idly digging through the debris of the fire in the hope of getting merchandise that was still intact. Unfortunately, the severity of the fire left almost no merchandise safe. The pair of sandals that Kadek found was charred at the ends. "Just for fun here, who knows if there are items that are still intact," he said.
"Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Tests Positive for Coronavirus" from Antara: Expert team coordinator and spokesperson for the COVID-19 Response Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, confirmed he has tested positive for the virus. "In the past few weeks I paid a working visit to several regions which recorded a surge in COVID-19 cases, such as Kudus and Bangkalan," he said. Adisasmito said he felt well and was optimistic about recovering soon. "As I said earlier, I paid an official visit to various regions and remained disciplined in following health protocols. It is likely that I was exposed (to the coronavirus) when I carried out the activity, my endurance dropped due to fatigue," he added. He then asked people who have come in close contact with him to take the antigen test as part of tracing efforts. "I appeal to the public to remain disciplined in following the health protocols, including wearing masks, washing hands, and keeping physical distance," he said. Anybody can be exposed to COVID-19, he cautioned. "Only by being disciplined in following the health protocols can we protect ourselves from COVID-19 transmission."
Of Interest
"Offshore Deposits: the Floating Tin Mines of Indonesia – in Pictures" from The Guardian
"Many Hundred Year Old Lontar in Karangasem in Damaged Condition" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"Tirta Gangga Park Management Ready to Give Rp.5,000 Per Fish for Residents Who Return Live Koi" 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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