June 22, 2021
Indonesia passes 2 million cases, hits new daily record + Bali task force tightens handling efforts in response to spike + Local govt. still hopes for July reopening despite national caseload + 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: Among the 91 new cases recorded yesterday, 8 were contracted by foreigners. 3 of them acquired the cases somewhere within Indonesia, while the other 5 were locally acquired cases. The 7-day average was pushed up to 91, the highest in just over two months, since May 13 (99). 1 death was reported.
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
"Indonesia Passes 2 Million Cases Amid Record Daily Rise" from The Jakarta Post: Health authorities reported 14,536 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, the highest daily rise since the pandemic hit the country last year, as Indonesia passed the 2 million confirmed cases mark. The national COVID-19 task force also reported 294 new deaths from COVID-19 on the same day, taking the total to 54,956. Meanwhile, a total of 1.8 million patients have recovered. According to the official count, the number of active cases has risen by 5,009 to 147,728. Jakarta recorded the highest single-day jump in the archipelago on Monday with 5,014 additional cases. Significant surges were also reported in Central Java and West Java with 3,252 and 2,719 cases, respectively. While regions have been attempting various measures to curb the spread of the virus, the government has no plans for another round of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), let alone full lockdowns, and instead insists on implementing the more lenient micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM Mikro).
Context: The previous single-day record was 14,518 cases, reported on January 30, a month after the Christmas and New Year period. Coconuts Jakarta has compiled a list of other national Covid-19 data related to the 2 million cases milestone.
"Bali Task Force Tightens Efforts to Handle Covid-19 in Response to Spike in Cases" from Antara Bali (Indonesian): The Bali Province Covid-19 Handling Task Force, together with the regional government, is tightening efforts to handle and prevent Covid-19, in line with the spike in new cases in the last few days. "The airport was re-checked, and together with the Health Office we are also inspecting the data well, looking at where are the positive cases coming from and what elements contributed," said Daily Chair of the Bali Covid-19 Handling Task Force, Dewa Made Indra. Not only has his party tightened screening at the airport, but they have also asked the Jembrana Regent to tighten the entrance at Gilimanuk Port. Through careful scrutiny of the daily case data, he said a more precise direction of case control will be made.
"Covid-19 Soars, Bali Asks Door to Foreign Tourists to Still be Opened in July" from Detik (Indonesian): COVID-19 cases have increased in various regions in Indonesia, including Bali. Even so, the Bali Provincial Government (Pemprov) still requests that tourism for foreign tourists continue to be opened in July. "Yes my expectations remain open, while also considering ways to eliminate exposure to COVID-19 with prokes," said Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office Putu Astawa. Astawa explained that the opening of Bali tourism for foreign tourists in July is still going according to plan. Until now there has been no change. However, he stressed, the opening of tourism for foreign tourists is not determined by the Bali Provincial Government, but by the central government. "Again, it's not up to us to decide whether it will be open or not. We don't have the authority to do that."
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Other Headlines
"Villa Room Occupancy in Bali Only 10%, 4 Star Service for Guesthouse Prices" from Suara Bali (Indonesian): Bali Villa Association (BVA) recorded that during the pandemic villas are filled with an occupancy average of 10%. "In general, domestic guests. Four-star service but guesthouse prices, because of the super discount or Covid prices," explained the Head of BVA who also serves as Secretary-General of Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association Badung, Gede Ricky Sukarta. According to him, of approximately 108 BVA members, some are open during the pandemic, but not all. The total room capacity in Bali is approximately 150,000 rooms, while in Badung there are more than 98,000 rooms. In general, the current average domestic stay is two days. But there are also those who stay up to a week. There are also foreigners who have been in Bali for a long time, and who sometimes stay for two weeks or even a month, at low prices. "We, of course, from the industry hope that Work from Bali can lift the sluggishness of Bali's tourism a little and especially if it can open borders for foreign tourists."
Vaccination Update
"Jabs for Everyone (Eligible): All Adults in Bali Can Now Get Their Covid-19 Vaccine" from Coconuts Bali: All adults in Bali can now get the COVID-19 vaccine, as the province is ramping up its daily vaccination quota and speeding up its drive. All citizens over the age of 18 can now head to the nearest health facility on the island to get their COVID-19 vaccine simply by bringing their ID card (KTP) with them. “In Bali you can just head to the nearest health facility, every one of them is serving vaccinations,” Bali Health Agency Chief, Ketut Suarjaya, said yesterday. Those with ID cards issued from elsewhere in Indonesia can also get their vaccines, as long as they can show that they are currently residing in Bali. This likely entails a proof of residence, usually issued by the local banjar (community units). The vaccination centers are reportedly open from 8am to 2pm from Monday to Saturday. In addition, Suarjaya said that the daily quota of shots each facility can administer has been increased from 50 to up to 200.
Context: It was not mentioned in the article whether foreigners in Bali would be able to access the vaccines by presenting proof of residence and a form of ID. From all reports we’ve read so far, in order for foreigners to access vaccines, they must be holders of a KITAS or KITAP visa.
More...
Nation: "Daily Vaccinations to Reach 1 Million Doses by July: Health Minister" from Antara
Nation: "Sinovac Vaccine Protects Health Workers From Severe Covid-19 in Delta-Hit Kudus" from The Jakarta Globe
Province: "97,000 Bali Tourism Workers Have Been Injected With Covid-19 Vaccine" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: "Vaccinations in Badung Are Already 85%, but Covid Has Actually Increased" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "More Than 2,600 Residents of Kalianget Village Targeted For Vaccination" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "During One Week, Vaccination Achievements Increase by 34,017 People" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"Self-isolating Residents' Houses in Denpasar Display Stickers" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): For residents affected by Covid-19 currently undergoing independent isolation in Sesetan Village, the Sesetan Village Environmental Task Force put up a sticker as a marker. Sesetan Village Head, Ketut Sri Karyawati when confirmed said that this sticker was a reminder that there were residents who carried out self-isolation. This installation was carried out by the environmental task force together with the mutual cooperation task force of Sesetan Village. "The installation of the self-isolation sign sticker aims to remind other people that there are residents who are carrying out self-isolation until the date that has been set by officers in the area. He further said, this time the sticker was installed in 3 houses of the heads of families who were in self-isolation because one of their family members was exposed to the COVID-19 virus. "We hope that with the installation of these stickers, residents and communities in the area can understand that families are carrying out self-isolation," said Sri Karyawati.
More...
Nation: "Restaurants, Malls, Parks Must Close Early as Covid-19 Extreme Spike Looms" from The Jakarta Globe
Nation: "Indonesian Hospitals Asked to Prioritize Patients With Comorbidities" from Antara
Nation: "Work From Home Mandated for 75% of Workers in Red Zones: Minister" from Antara
Denpasar: "Denpasar City Government Targets Construction Workers for Random Antigen Detection" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Entering Bali, Madura Residents Repeat Rapid Test" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
"Only 26% of Bali's Regional Expenditure Realized" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): The Bali Provincial Government has only realized 26% of the total regional budget of Rp.8 trillion in June 2021. The head of the Bali Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD), Dewa Tagel Wirasa, said that his party had made efforts to accelerate the absorption of the Regional Budget (APBD) for the Bali Province Planning, with a target of reaching 30-40% by the end of June. Efforts to accelerate are also carried out by submitting a request for disbursement of funds sourced from the first phase of the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) to the central government in the amount of Rp. 23 billion, of which Rp.12 billion have previously been received. So that the total disbursement of the first phase of DAK is Rp.35 billion from the central government. Furthermore, physical programs that have high expenditure allocations have begun to be implemented with a budget portion of 25% of total expenditure, and this is considered capable of accelerating the realization of regional expenditures. For example, the construction of the Singaraja-Mengwitani road shortcut, the Sanur-Nusa Penida triangular port, the arrangement of the Besakih Sacred Area, road maintenance, the construction of a number of schools, and the construction of the Bali Cultural Center in Klungkung.
More...
Nation: "Indonesia, Canada Open Talks on Comprehensive Trade Deal" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "Covid-19 Cases Continue to Rise, KADIN Indicates National Conference to be Postponed" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Badung: "Geobags Installed, Nusa Dua's Selagan Beach Again Experiences Abrasion" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
Bangli: "Plan to Build Agricultural Wholesale Market at Loka Crana Terminal" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Improving Coffee Quality, Regent Hopes Farmers Focus on Processing Quality" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "JD.ID and ThisAble Foundation Hold Disability Digital Business Workshop" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Blahbatuh Market Traders Hope for Soft Credit" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "18 Dipta Stadium Project Workers Exposed to Covid, Bali PUPR Satker Predicts 2 Weeks Late Completion" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Farmers Choose to Sell Rice to Middlemen, IDR5 Billion Fund for Village Unit Cooperatives Evaluated" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Five Tourist Attractions Will Be Arranged in Karangasem Soon" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Abrasion on Tegal Besar Beach Getting Worse, Repairs Waiting for SILPA Funds" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Construction of 3R TPS in Tabanan Still Weak, Only 14 Villages" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
"Open Border in Front of Eyes, Covid-19 Cases Increase" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Education
"KPAI: Indonesia's Covid-19 Positive Child Mortality is Highest in the World" from Suara Bali (Indonesian): The Indonesian Child Protection Commission or KPAI said Indonesia's COVID-19 positive child mortality was the highest in the world. The total number of positive Covid-19 cases in Indonesia is 1,989,909 cases. Of this figure, 12.5% of those infected with COVID-19 are children. "KPAI encourages the central government and regional governments to immediately stop the face-to-face learning trials (PTM) in a number of areas where the positivity rate is above 5%," said KPAI Commissioner Retno Listyarti. KPAI also asked schools not to open ahead of the new school year in July 2021. Because the Covid-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia has not subsided.
Context: It was not clarified in this article what the source of KPAI's data is. In December last year, The Jakarta Post ran this story about how Indonesia is reportedly among the countries with the highest Covid-19 death rate among children, surpassing the United States, according to data from KawalCOVID-19, a volunteer group that independently records virus case numbers and deaths in Indonesia.
More...
Tabanan: "Tabanan Designs PTM Simulations in These Two Schools" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Tabanan Regency Government Starts Face-to-Face Learning July 12, Here Are the Requirements" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
"There Are 580,000 People With Disabilities in Bali, Jokowi's Special Staff Asks for This" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Special Staff to the President of the Republic of Indonesia Angkie Yudistia said that the number of people with disabilities in Indonesia is based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2019 is more than 30 million people, while Bali itself has 580,000 people with disabilities. This number, according to him, is quite large. For this reason, based on the mandate of Law Number 8 of 2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities and Presidential Regulation Number 68 of 2020 concerning the National Committee for Disabilities, in the near future, the President of the Republic of Indonesia will ratify the formation of the KND (Formation of the National Committee for Disabilities). The formation of the KND has long been anticipated as a structured institution in terms of monitoring, fulfilling, and advocating the rights of persons with disabilities. "I hope that the Bali Provincial Government can synergize with KND later in carrying out various programs related to disability protection," said Angkie Yudistia.
"Nip/Tuck/Beach: Indonesia Eyes Bali as Cosmetic Procedures Hub" from Coconuts Bali: The Indonesian Health Ministry’s plan to turn Bali into a medical tourism destination may see it tap into the field of cosmetics. “With our visit this time around we want to plan the opening of the number one aesthetic clinic in Indonesia, which will be developed at Sanglah General Hospital as a model for medical tourism in Indonesia,” Dante Saksono Harbuwono, the deputy minister of health, said. According to Dante, this plan is aimed at keeping Indonesians from seeking medical services abroad, which he said can amount to about IDR100 trillion (US$6.9 billion) in lost opportunity for the domestic industry. Dante added that the clinic in Sanglah would provide various skincare procedures, plastic surgery, and dental services, among others. There are also plans to work with partners in South Korea. “Just imagine a family visiting and then the mother goes to a clinic for treatment in Bali. Afterwards they can go for recreation,” Dante said. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, however, Indonesia’s medical tourism project in Bali is still at its infancy.
Of Interest
"Man Boasts Dining Out With Family in PIK Following Positive Covid-19 Test, Police Investigate" from Coconuts Jakarta
"More Indonesian Women Embrace Body Hair’s Beauty" from The Jakarta Post
"Australian and German Foreigners Apply to Become Indonesian Citizens in Bali" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
"Meaning of Wrapping Trees with Poleng Cloth in Bali" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
"Traffic Police Officer Hit and Dragged Dozens of Meters by Truck While Supervising Vaccine Transportation" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
"Amid Lack of Regional Income, Gianyar Still Beautifies City With Bonsai Plants" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
"BNNP Together with Governor of Bali Launch War on Drugs Campaign" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
"Again! Jerinx Attacks Artist Positive for COVID-19, After BCL Now Sarah Viloid" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
"Australia Indonesia Cinema Festival Shows Free Films Online, Access Via This Link" 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.
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