June 28, 2021
Province's vaccine allocation will be doubled says president Jokowi + Vaccine tourism plan meets skepticism amid Covid-19 surge + Garuda closes two flight routes to Australia + 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: 174 cases were reported yesterday, bringing the 7-day average up to 172, the highest in almost two months, or since April 23 (174). Two returned overseas travelers were among the new cases, and 28 domestic travelers, 1 of which was foreigner, bringing the total number of recorded foreigners who’ve contracted Covid-19 to 195.
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.
The Big News
"Jokowi to Double Vaccine Allocation for Bali, NTT and NTB" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): During the mass vaccination in the east parking lot of Puputan Badung Field, Denpasar on Saturday, a teleconference was held with President Joko Widodo. Commander of the IX Udayana Regional Military Command, Maj. Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak, told Jokowi, “We at the Bali Military Command include Bali NTT, NTB, we manage 3 provinces. So far the vaccines we have received are always lacking. So our health workers carry out activities and stop," he said. Jokowi said that he would give twice the usual vaccine ration and that he would convey the vaccine issue to the Commander in Chief of the National Police. Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster said that as of June 23, 2021, the total number of vaccinations received by Bali was 4 million doses. As of Friday, June 25, the number of residents who were vaccinated with the first dose in Bali was 2,080,000 people. This amount is about 68% of the total target of 3 million Balinese, which is 70% of the population of Bali. Meanwhile, the second dose of vaccination has reached more than 700,000, or about 24%. The remaining vaccines currently available in Bali are 800,000 doses. "We have programmed that 50,000 people can be vaccinated in one day using a banjar and institutional-based approach," said Koster.
"Bali Vaccine Tourism Plan Meets Skepticism Amid Covid-19 Surge" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall): The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry plans to test a “vaccine vacation” program in Bali to boost visits, a policy that experts have criticized as untimely considering the recent COVID-19 surge in the country. Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said last week that the program, which would allow tourists to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Bali, was being finalized with the governor of the province, who would officially announce it this week. “Soon after the announcement, the vaccine tourism plan can be immediately implemented,” he said during a press briefing. Health Ministry spokeswoman Siti Nadia Tarmizi and Bali Tourism Agency head I Putu Astawa separately told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that they had yet to receive details of the vaccine tourism program. Furthermore, an epidemiologist and an economist told the Post that a vaccine vacation program would draw precious resources away from the ongoing COVID-19 wave. Sandiaga said the Indonesian government would prioritize Indonesian tourists, who would also get the vaccine for free. Foreign tourists would get the jab under the private sector’s Gotong Royong program, so as not to disrupt the supply for the national mass vaccination program.
Context: Media reports on the plan to implement "vaccine tourism" in Bali have varied, including those from government news agency Antara. Last week we included this story about how Bali was set to become a "vaccine mandatory destination," and that the "vaccine tourism" program actually meant "vaccinated tourism," i.e. only those vaccinated could enter Bali once it reopens. On this note, Antara published this story, which included, "[it will be certain] that tourists who enter Bali, both domestic tourists and foreign tourists, are already vaccinated." As the Jakarta Post story above mentions, Bali's governor is due to officially announce the program this week. It has also been reported that Bali's deputy governor will be speaking with Indonesia's tourism minister about the program today.
"Garuda Indonesia Closes 2 Flight Routes to Australia" from Suara Bali (Indonesian): Garuda Indonesia now only serves Jakarta-Sydney flights. Previously, it served Australian flights through three major cities, namely Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The last flight to and from Melbourne was served on Tuesday (15/6). Meanwhile, the Perth route will be served until Thursday (1/7). "The company will focus on flight services on the Australian route through Sydney, which is served once a week," said Garuda Indonesia President Director, Irfan Setiaputra. "This is of course also in line with our commitment as a national flag carrier to ensure connectivity between Indonesia and Australia remains available, especially to facilitate repatriation flights for Indonesian citizens from Australia and people who have to fly in the midst of a pandemic situation like today," said Irfan. Furthermore, Garuda Indonesia will continue to evaluate the currently available routes, especially routes that have opportunities for passenger movement and cargo distribution activities with a focus on optimizing the Company's performance in the future.
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Other Headlines
"Hospitals ‘Collapse’ as Second Wave Engulfs Indonesia" from The Jakarta Post: Indonesia’s COVID-19 cases soared to levels not seen before last week, forcing some hospitals to set up emergency tents to cater to a deluge of patients seeking care after potentially contracting the Delta variant of the virus. The national COVID-19 task force reported 18,872 new cases on Friday, the second-highest number after only a day earlier with 20,574 cases. From June 21 to 25, the country recorded 82,958 new cases and 1,709 deaths. With the government refusing to impose large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) and instead opting to tighten micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM Mikro) to weather the current wave, concerns have been raised over whether the healthcare system can hold out before the infection curve reaches a plateau. Harrowing images and videos of overloaded hospitals in Greater Jakarta have been circulating on social media as families of COVID-19 patients reported difficulties in finding available beds and ICUs at referral hospitals. One video shows a suspected coronavirus patient lying on the ground next to an emergency tent as another is being transported on the back of pick-up truck at the Bekasi regional hospital.
Context: Indonesia's daily new cases reached yet another new record yesterday, with 21,342 recorded, as well as 409 deaths. Saturday's figure was only slightly less, with 21,095. Indonesia is now among the top five countries with the highest daily number of cases worldwide after Brazil, India, Columbia, and Argentina.
Vaccination Update
"Large Vaccination Queues, Bali Satpol PP: Unexpected Crowds" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): Mass vaccinations were simultaneously carried out in 34 regional police areas throughout Indonesia in the framework of the 75th Bhayangkara Day. During the vaccination process on Saturday in Denpasar City, there seemed to be a crowd. The Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster, estimates that the total number of people vaccinated in Bali that day would have reached 50,000. Responding to the crowd of vaccination participants, the Head of the Bali Provincial Satpol PP, Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, revealed that the people who attended were enthusiastic and hoped to get vaccinated. Especially people who do not live in Denpasar or migrants who live in Denpasar and Badung. "The crowd that happened was unexpected. But that doesn't mean the atmosphere was out of control. It was under control," he explained. The Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster also said that Bali still needs 6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
More...
Nation: "Over 13 Million Indonesians Fully Vaccinated: Covid-19 Task Force" from Antara
Nation: "Indonesia's Daily Vaccination Rate Has Surpassed One Million Doses" from Antara
Nation: "Health Ministry Removes Domicile Requirement for Covid-19 Vaccination" from Antara
Nation: "Government Mulls Sinovac, Pfizer Vaccines for Children" from Antara
Province: "18,200 High School Teachers in Bali Have Received the Covid-19 Vaccine" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Mass Vaccine in Buleleng Regency Reaches 2,022 People" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Thousands of Gianyar Residents Vaccinated for Bhayangkara Day Series" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Tabanan Regent Prepares Sanctions for Residents Who Refuse to Vaccinate Against Covid-19" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"WHO Stipulating Indonesia's Covid-19 Risk Status as A1 is a Hoax" from Antara Bali (Indonesian): A message is circulating through WhatsApp about WHO's designation of Indonesia as an A1 country with high risk of Covid-19. It also states that Indonesia falls into the same category as India, Pakistan, Brazil, the Philippines, and a number of African countries, and that other countries have the right to refuse anyone from Indonesia entering their territory. The message also attaches WHO's latest Covid-19 situation report. The chain message is not true. Antara did not find any official information, either from official news or from the WHO website, which stated that Indonesia was in the A1 category of high risk of Covid-19. The Ministry of Health, through its official Twitter account, also clarified that the chain message related to the WHO status was a hoax. Spokesperson for vaccination at the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said that WHO has never made such a classification for a country.
More...
Denpasar: "There Are Still People Ignoring Prokes, Denpasar Yustisi Team Again Nets 15 Offenders" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Covid-19 Cases Increase, Tabanan Hospital Limits Visiting Hours" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
"Bali Being Prepared to Become Export Hub" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian): According to Bali Governor Wayan Koster, Bali is being designed to become an export hub, especially for products from the agricultural, marine, and creative industries. "We have committed together with the Minister of Tourism, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Finance, to make Bali an Export Hub. Meanwhile, Chairperson of GPEI Bali, Panudiana Kuhn, conveyed that for the readiness to make Bali an export hub, the most important thing is to increase the competence of supporting Human Resources (HR). Namely through vocational training and education. Bali's human resources, he said, actually have an opportunity, it's just that many prefer schools in the tourism sector. "If there is an export hub, it can open up opportunities for other fields," said Khun. Of the export actors in Bali, he said, 92% came from MSMEs. However, of that amount, the export value is only 14%. With Bali being prepared as an export hub, his party hopes this year the export value can increase by 30%.
More...
Nation: "Indonesia, US Break Ground on Joint Strategic Maritime Centre" from Reuters
Nation: "Indonesia, South Korea Aim to Strengthen Health Cooperation" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Province: "Bali Nusra Customs Revenue Reaches 113% of Semester I/2021 Target" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Electric Car Charging Station Installed in Ubud" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "It Has Hundreds of Waste Banks, But Hundreds of Tons of Garbage in Gianyar Failed to Get to TPA" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "To Overcome Covid-19, Jembrana Regent Will Postpone Infrastructure Project" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Covid-19 Pandemic, Electricity Consumption in Nusa Penida Drops 50%" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Education
"Threat of Commercialization of Education Lurks Behind Proposed VAT Scheme" from The Jakarta Post: Education services offered by private educational institutions will soon become subject to value-added tax (VAT) in the latest government tax plan, fueling concerns that it will increase the cost of education for those without access to state schools while putting the burden on private providers. A draft revision to the 1983 law on general tax provisions and procedures removes educational services from the list of those exempt from VAT, as part of this year’s National Legislation Program (Prolegnas). Tri Wahyuningsih, a 51-year-old owner of a private vocational school in Surakarta, Central Java is one of many who disagree with the government’s tax proposal. Her school is facing the possibility of being taxed. “All the funding we have received, be it from donors [or] the public, we put it back in for the good of the public, to manage the school, to build the school and for the needs of the students. Nothing is taken for profit.”
More...
Province: "Bali Head of Education and Sports: Apart From Red Zones, PTM Will Still Be Held" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
"Kadispar Bali Remains Optimistic That Tourism Will Open This July" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
"High Operating Costs, Dozens of Hotels For Sale" from Bali Express (Indonesian): Chair of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Badung, I Gusti Agung Rai Suryawijaya, said that the large number of hotel and restaurant assets in Badung were sold due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Until now, there are around 50 hotels and restaurants that have been sold and bankrupt. According to him, the operating costs of the hotel in a month are not directly proportional to the income because for a three-star hotel with 100 rooms in operating condition, operational costs required reach Rp.300 million to Rp.400 million. "The central government must provide a stimulus or soft load to tourism stakeholders until 2023. Because Bali, which annually contributes the largest foreign exchange, especially in 2019 it reached Rp.111 trillion. So now it's better to be assisted by Rp.9 trillion in emergency rescue situations. If we don't do this, more people will lose their assets."
"Indonesia’s Doctors Got Vaccinated With Sinovac, and Got Sick" from The New York Times: While the West appears to be recovering from the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, some countries without access to plentiful vaccines are facing their most devastating outbreaks yet, as more contagious variants spread quickly. Other countries are discovering that certain vaccines may not be as effective as others in preventing infections caused by these variants. Since the pandemic began, 401 doctors in Indonesia have died, the risk mitigation team of the Indonesian Medical Association said on Friday. At least 20 of them were fully vaccinated with Sinovac. (The vaccination status of another 31 doctors who died between Feb. 1 and June 24 is still being investigated.)
"89 Vehicles Abandoned by Their Owners at Ngurah Rai Airport" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): A total of 89 vehicles, mostly motorcycles, were abandoned by their owners in the parking lot of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Tuban, Kuta District, Badung. In fact, some vehicles have been around since 2016. It is suspected that the vehicle is not privately owned, but a rental vehicle. Stakeholder Relations Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Taufan Yudhistira, said of the 89 vehicles, there are 88 motorcycles and 1 car. Meanwhile, the vehicle that was most recently parked and then left just like that, said Taufan, which was recorded on November 20, 2020. Taufan appealed to the public or motorbike rental owners to check the vehicle, by bringing proof of ownership of motorized vehicles such as STNK and BPKB. “Financing is borne by the motorcyclist. Because the parking fee continues to run since the motorbike is there until the time of collection."
Of Interest
"‘I’ve Seen Too Many Bodies’: Jakarta Gravediggers Chart Indonesia’s Covid Battle" from The Guardian
"Murder Convict Hendra Subrata Repatriated From Singapore After 10 Years" from The Jakarta Globe
"Maluku Police Officer Dishonorably Discharged Following Statutory Rape Allegations" from Coconuts Bali
"TNI Member Among Suspects in Murder of Journalist in North Sumatra" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
"East Java Governor Positive for Covid-19 for Second Time" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
"Indonesia Wins Horseback Archery Tournament in Turkey" from Antara
"Indonesian Icons: the Mischievous, Beloved Pak Ogah" from The Jakarta Post
"What Does the Philosophy of Worshiping Ancestral Spirits Mean in Bali?" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
"Thousands Climb Indonesian Volcano for Ritual Sacrifice" from Agence France-Presse
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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