June 24, 2021
Virologist suspects Delta variant has entered province + Work From Bali did not trigger surge in cases says local govt. + Jokowi denies calls for lockdown as national daily cases pass 15,000 + 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 recorded 187 new cases, the highest daily total since April 21 (196). This pushed the 7-day average up to 118. Cases were recorded in all regencies except Jembrana, with the highest count (63) in Denpasar. 5 foreigners were among the new cases; 4 of them had locally acquired cases while 1 of them acquired the infection overseas. There were 4 deaths.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"Udayana University Virologist Suspects New Variant of Covid-19 Has Entered Bali" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Although there have been no official test results from medical samples, it is suspected that the Delta variant, which is a new variant of Covid-19, has entered Bali. This was conveyed by Professor of Virology and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Udayana University (FKH Unud) Prof. Dr. I Gusti Ngurah Kade Mahardika. "There are still many transportations in and out of Bali and the conditions for entering Bali are loose, I assume the virus (Delta) has already entered Bali," said Mahardika. Furthermore, the medical expert team member of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Covid-19 Handling from Jembrana said that the entry filter for Bali which is not strict creates the opportunity for people to bring the Delta variant to Bali.
Context: Prof. Mahardika has also said that part of the "loose" entry requirements is that travelers are still allowed to enter Bali with a rapid antigen or GeNose C-19 negative test result. "In fact, the virus that caused the spike in cases in Central Java, West Java, and DKI Jakarta could not be detected by rapid antigen tests, let alone GeNose," he told Radar Bali. A number of experts, such as molecular biologist Ahmad Utomo, have also expressed their doubts about the use of GeNose, and have requested that its use as a travel requirement be stopped and switched to "more valid tests such as antigen or PCR." Utomo has also requested that the results of external validation of the use of GeNose be published immediately. "If there are publications, and the results are good, then the use of GeNose can be continued," he told Kompas.
"Bali Provincial Government Denies WFB Triggered Covid-19 Surge" from Republika (Indonesian): The Bali Provincial Government denied reports that the Work From Bali (WFB) policy had triggered the spike in Covid-19 cases on the Island of the Gods in the last few days. "The spike in Covid-19 cases has not only occurred in Bali, but also in various other regions in Indonesia. So, it is inappropriate to mention the WFB policy as the trigger," said Head of the Bali Province Communication, Information and Statistics Agency Gede Pramana. He added that domestic travelers have gone through strict travel conditions including negative swab test results to be able to enter Bali in accordance with applicable health protocols. "This spike in cases is partly due to increasing community activities and the emergence of new mutations of the coronavirus," he said. The Work From Bali policy, he continued, that had been initiated by the central government was appropriate. "The WFB policy will greatly help the Balinese economy recover, of course, by continuing to prioritize health protocols." Gede Pramana hopes that the assessment of a policy is not based on assumptions and logic alone. However, it is also supported by data and the socio-economic conditions of the community.
"Jokowi Sticks to His Guns as Daily Covid-19 Cases Soar Past 15,000" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall): Indonesia has posted another record-breaking day after the number of new COVID-19 cases surpassed 15,000, just hours after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo spoke up for the first time since the second wave of infections began to sweep through the country. Health authorities reported 15,308 new cases on Wednesday, the highest daily rise since the pandemic hit the country last year. Just two days prior, it recorded 2.033 million cases. Earlier that day, amid increasing pressure to impose a stricter lockdown policy to anticipate the spread of a more contagious mutation of the virus, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo insisted that the current micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM Mikro) were still the best available option. Jokowi said the government had taken into account the country’s economic, social and political conditions, as well as the experiences of other countries, in determining that the PPKM Mikro would be able to limit public mobility while preventing a total economic shutdown. “I would like to state that the PPKM Mikro and lockdowns have a similar purpose, which is to limit public mobility. As such, there is no need to be against [the policy],” Jokowi said.
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Other Headlines
"Bali Tourism Actors Worried About Delaying Work From Bali" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): The rapid increase in Covid-19 in a number of areas, especially in Java, has caused anxiety for tourism and MICE actors in Bali. This was conveyed by hotel entrepreneurs in the Renon area, Bayu Adisastra: "Right now, what we are worried about is that an increase in cases in Java will result in restrictions on the travel of Ministries and Institutions as well as SOEs to Bali. In fact, with the Work from Bali program that has just begun, the impact is starting to be felt even though the volume is still very small, especially for MSME friends and tourism business actors. My hotel occupancy is 25% or 70 rooms are occupied,” he said. The same thing was also conveyed by Putu Gede Wiwin Gunawasika as Chair of the Bali MICE Forum (BMF). "Although we have seen impacts sporadically, there has been a movement of SOE Ministries/Agencies to Bali directly without going through us. We just hope it doesn't affect the restrictions to Bali."
Vaccination Update
"They Relied on Chinese Vaccines. Now They’re Battling Outbreaks." from The New York Times: In Indonesia, where a new variant is spreading, more than 350 doctors and health care workers recently came down with Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated with Sinovac, according to the risk mitigation team of the Indonesian Medical Association. Across the country, 61 doctors died between February and June 7. Ten of them had taken the Chinese-made vaccine, the association said. The numbers were enough to make Kenneth Mak, Singapore’s director of medical services, question the use of Sinovac. “It’s not a problem associated with Pfizer,” Mr. Mak said. “This is actually a problem associated with the Sinovac vaccine.”
More...
Nation: "Sinovac Claims its Vaccine in Indonesia is Effective in Reducing Delta Symptoms" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Nation: "President Urges Public to Not Refuse Vaccination" from Antara
Province: "Udayana Kodam Boosts Vaccination of 240,000 Doses of AstraZeneca Until 30 June" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: "Vaccination in Nusa Dua Finished, CHSE Certification Cleared, Ready to Welcome Tourists" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Vaccination in Dense Population and High Mobility Areas Becomes Task Force's Target" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Most Active Covid-19 Patients in Jembrana Have Not Been Vaccinated" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Klungkung Regency Government Ready Vaccinate Residents Until Afternoon" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Hundreds of Tabanan Prison Inmates Participate in Vaccination" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"Covid-19 Cases Increase, Indonesian Army in Bali Intensify Prokes Checks in Areas With Crowding Potential" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): The Indonesian Army in Bali through the ranks of Koramil 1611-03/Kuta Kodim 1611/Badung together with the North Kuta Police and the Badung Satpol PP, intensify judicial activities and control health protocols (prokes) in areas that have the potential for crowds to occur. As in the activities carried out at Batu Bolong Beach and Segara Perancak Field, Tibubeneg Village, which was led by Danramil 1611-03/Kuta Mayor Kaveleri Edy Surnoto. Dandim 1611/Badung, Col. Inf Made Alit Yudana said, "It was found that 8 people did not use masks, 4 people did not use masks correctly. Of the 8 people who did not wear masks, 7 were foreign nationals and 1 Indonesian citizen.”
More...
Nation: "The Difference Between PSBB, Java-Bali PPKM, and Micro PPKM" from Kompas (Indonesian)
Nation: "Task Force Asks Six Provinces to Boost Micro PPKM Enforcement" from Antara
Nation: "Indonesia Needs Medical Waste Depots at Regional Level" from Antara
Badung: "Prokes Violators in Badung Are Dominated by Foreign Nationals" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: "Seven Foreigners in Badung Fined for Violating Prokes" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Covid-19 Cases Again Show An Increasing Trend in Denpasar, Task Force: Most Are Travelers" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Dozens of Communities in the Terminal Area and Kreneng Market Take Random Antigen Rapid Tests" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Corona Cases Increasing, Denpasar Niti Mandala Field Closed" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Denpasar Yustisi Team Nets 30 Prokes Violators" from Republika (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Riding Motorbike Without a Mask, Italian National is Unable to Pay Fine of Rp.1 Million" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
Nation: "Cofiring: PLN Makes Coal Power Plants a Tad Greener, But is it Enough?" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "For Indonesia’s Couriers, Cash on Delivery is a Headache" from Tech in Asia (Metered Paywall)
Nation: "Indonesia Seeks Cooperation With Pacific Nations for Economic Recovery" from Antara
Nation: "Pandemic Could Lead to Increase in Child Labor, Minister Warns" from Antara
Province: "Crafts Made of Iron Penetrate Foreign Markets" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Province: "Creative Economy Sector Increasingly Contributes in Bali" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: "Waste Processing Equipment Worth IDR 700 Million in Buduk Village Now Stands" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Bangli: "Bangli Prepares for UNESCO Visit to Batur Geopark" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Dozens of Cooperatives in Buleleng Dead, Legal Entities Will Be Revoked" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Income Down, Tabanan Can Only Pay TPP PNS Up To 4 Months" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
"Deputy Governor Still Hopes Bali Tourism Will Open in July" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): The increasingly unclear news about the opening of Bali tourism in July 2021 has made many people worried. Even so, the Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati alias Cok Ace, still hopes that the opening schedule will not be delayed again. "We all really hope this July (it will open). Even though it's not 100% like it used to be," he said. "The readiness of the government, the readiness of the health of the community and the readiness of tourism supporting facilities are very good. Moreover, talking about the obedience of the Balinese people to the health program is extraordinary," he said. One of the indicators, according to Cok Ace, is that in terms of health, more than 50% of Balinese have vaccinated against Covid-19 out of a total target of 70%.
Context: As of June 18, 1,874,213 Balinese 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-19 Delta Variant Tends to Infect Patients Under 18: Ministry" from Antara: The Indonesian Health Ministry reported that the Delta variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tended to infect patients below 18 years of age in several regions that recorded a spike in cases. "In some hospitals, the Delta variant tends to affect patients under the age of 18. There is also a patient aged 10 years infected with this variant. The findings are based on our observations to see the differences between the Delta variant and other variants of the coronavirus," Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Health Ministry, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, remarked. Rondonuwu noted that the situation was reported on the basis of a research report on Whole Genome Sequencing in Kudus, Central Java, which was dominated by the Delta variant case finding. "Despite the discovery of the Delta variant in DKI (Jakarta), almost everything we found in Kudus was a type of Delta variant. In general, these variants were found in areas that reported a spike in COVID-19 cases. We proved this finding through genomic sequencing samples that can confirm the new variant," he remarked.
"Jembrana Head of Culture and Tourism I Nengah Alit Detained for Corruption for Procurement of Buffalo Racing Headdresses" from Suara Bali (Indonesian): The Head of the Tourism and Culture Office of Jembrana Regency, Bali, I Nengah Alit, was detained by the Jembrana District Attorney on suspicion of corruption in the procurement of makepung or rumbing buffalo racing headdresses. This case caused state losses of more than Rp.200 million. "We have received the delegation of case files from the Jembrana Police Corruption Unit, and the suspect was detained," said Head of the Special Crimes Section of the State Prosecutor's Office, Gusti Ngurah Arya Surya Diatmika. "Based on the BPKP inspection, the repair of the rumbing only cost Rp.12 million, while the budget spent was Rp.300 million. As a result, the state's financial loss reached more than Rp.200 million," he said.
"Digitizing Balinese Iconography into the 21st Century" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall): The Balinese DNA is a unique genetic code responsible for an extraordinary array of creative expressions, both sacred and otherwise. Generation Y, born between 1984 and 1996, and Generation Z, born after 1997, have a distinct internal signature propelling Balinese creativity to new and exciting levels. Artists Dewa Gede Raka Jana Nuraga, aka Rakajana, and Putu Surya Dharma Putra, aka Surya, portray the current era of the Balinese entrepreneurial spirit. They reveal how self-confidence and a stoic work ethic is key to realizing potential and generating opportunities.
Of Interest
"New Group Triggers Fresh Debate Over Presidential Term Limit" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
"68 Indonesian Fishermen Facing Trespassing Charges Abroad" from Antara
"Raja Marga Heritage Temple Burglary, Ancient Gems and Gold Lost" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"Types of Balinese Carvings and Examples, Here's the Explanation" from Merdeka (Indonesian)
"Targeting Foreigners, Two Brothers Who are Perpetrators of Robberies in Bali Arrested by Police" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
"Foreigners' Villa in Kuta Bali Burgled, 2 Thieves Take Gold and Hundreds of Millions of Rupiah" from iNews 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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