June 7, 2021
Govt. finalizing travel bubbles, foreign tourists must be vaccinated + 14-day quarantine for arrivals from countries "experiencing Covid-19 crisis" + Police increase supervision of foreigners + more
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Weather & Waves
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
Today’s Tides
Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
Tide table from Tide-forecast.com.
Local Covid Numbers
*Note: With 28 new cases reported on Saturday and 27 on Sunday, the 7-day average is now at an almost year-long low of 37, the smallest 7-day average since June 18’s 34. The 7-day average for fatalities has returned to single digits for the first time since late November.
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
"Government Continues to Finalize Travel Bubble Scheme" from Bisnis (Indonesian): The Covid-19 Handling Task Force's Head of Behavior Change Division, Sonny Harmadi, said, "These bubbles will make it easier for residents who live in [countries that have succeeded in controlling Covid-19] to travel freely, and avoid the obligation to self-quarantine." There are 3 areas planned to be a priority for the recovery of the tourism sector, namely Bintan, Batam, and Bali. "The government is preparing a number of considerations for these areas, including a low positive case rate, and active cases and hospital capacity in a safe condition. In the Riau Islands, the government has set green zones in 3 resorts in the Bintan area and several golf centers in Batam. Tourists must have a negative PCR test result before leaving [their departure point] and after arriving in Indonesia. The government will also ensure foreign tourists entering the country have been vaccinated against Covid-19. "The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy has finalized the cooperation plan to open foreign tourist gates with 4 countries through the travel bubble scheme. These countries include the Middle East, such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, China, Singapore, and the Netherlands."
Context: Although the travel bubbles planned for Bali and Batam-Bintan have been covered by the media for a few months now, this is the first time we've seen specific information about the requirement for foreign visitors to be vaccinated, and that travel corridor agreements have been finalized with Middle Eastern countries, China, Singapore, and the Netherlands.
"Govt Plans 14-day Quarantine for Travelers From Abroad" from Antara: Government spokesperson for COVID-19 Handling, Wiku Adisasmito, said, "In order to prevent the importation of (COVID-19) cases, the government plans to stipulate an extension of the quarantine duration from 5x24 hours to 14x24 hours for travelers from countries experiencing the COVID-19 crisis." He said the rule change will be included in the latest circular of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, which will be published soon. "In principle, the screening mechanism, both testing and quarantine for entering and leaving Indonesia must be carried out properly.”
Context: On June 1 we included this story about the 5-day quarantine period being extended to 14 for citizens arriving from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, with Malaysia possibly being added to that list.
"Many Foreigners Behaving Badly, Regional Police Increase Supervision" from Bali Post (Indonesian): In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, many foreign nationals are acting up and committing crimes. Public Relations Head of Bali Police, Syamsi, said his party is synergizing with relevant agencies to increase supervision of foreigners living on the Island of the Gods. "Prevention efforts have been carried out by Bali Police. Supervision will continue to be carried out with other relevant agencies. We are also working with relevant stakeholders to jointly carry out socialization and education at the entrances to Bali such as airports and ports, as well as immigration offices or other places and facilities visited by foreigners," he said.
Context: Elsewhere it was reported that up until May, 78 foreigners have been deported from Bali this year for violating immigration law; 160 were deported in 2020, and 272 in 2019. Meanwhile, it has been reported that two German foreigners who were actors in the pornographic videos filmed in North Kuta left Indonesia in early May.
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Other Headlines
"Beware of Pornographers, Bali Official Tells Villa Owners" from Coconuts Bali: Incidents involving pornographic content being made in Bali are causing great concern in the province, one official said, who is now calling for public supervision to stamp out pornographers from the island. Balinese social media was taken by storm after a number of pornographic videos taken at a “porn villa” surfaced. Police have since confirmed that the villa is located in the Umalas area. Bali Tourism Agency Chief Putu Astawa said villa owners must be vigilant of people using their property as porn video sets. The official also called on the general public to do the same throughout the province, especially at tourist attractions. “In Bali there are religious and traditional norms. What [the pornographers] have done is obviously not in line with those norms and must therefore be straightened out,” Putu said today. “So this would require collective supervision from the public,” he added.
Vaccination Update
"Indonesia Receives 313,100 AstraZeneca Doses from Covax" from The Jakarta Globe: Indonesia will receive enough doses to vaccinate 3-20 percent of the total population under the Covax AMC mechanism, according to the Covid-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee (KPCPEN). Following the fresh shipment, Indonesia's total vaccine supply —finished and bulk vaccine combined— has reached 92.2 million doses. So far, Indonesia's finished vaccine supply is as follows: 3 million doses from Sinovac, 6.7 million doses from AstraZeneca, and 1 million Sinopharm doses. In addition, the archipelagic country has secured 81.5 million Sinovac doses in bulk form. State-run pharmaceutical firm Bio Farma is in charge of processing the half-finished vaccine. And once processed, Indonesia's finished vaccines will amount to 76.2 million doses — enough to inoculate 37.6 million people. Indonesia is targeting to administer a million doses per day starting this month, in a bid to achieve herd immunity.
More...
Nation: "Vaccination of ‘Vulnerable Groups’ Begins Amid Expert Skepticism" from The Jakarta Post
Nation: "For Indonesians With HIV/AIDs, Covid-19 Vaccination Mixed Bag" from The Jakarta Post
Badung: "Hundreds of Bhayangkari Badung Police Are Vaccinated Against Covid-19" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Hundreds of Denpasar City Community Members Participate in Covid-19 Vaccination at Denpasar Cathedral" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Until Beginning of June, 154,749 Karangasem Residents Vaccinated Against Covid-19" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Pursuing Target, Residents Who Miss Covid-19 Vaccination Threatened to be Forcibly Collected" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Bali Police Chief Participates in Tabanan Scouting Because Covid Vaccinations Still Low" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"Govt Cancels Haj 2021 for Pilgrims’ Health and Safety" from The Jakarta Post: Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said the government had decided to cancel the 2021 haj program due to soaring COVID-19 infections. “This is a bitter pill that we have to swallow. The sole reason behind the cancellation is that we have placed the safety of our pilgrims as the top priority. I hope the pandemic will end soon,” Yaqut said. Indonesia is continuing to see a soaring number of daily infections, averaging over 5,000 cases nationwide. Meanwhile, the top 10 contributing countries to the annual pilgrimage are also seeing a resurgence in COVID-19 transmission. India, for example, recorded 132,788 cases on June 1, while Iraq recorded 4,170 daily cases and Iran 10,687 cases on the same date. Neighboring Malaysia recorded 7,105 cases on June 1 and is now in lockdown. This is the second time that Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, is not sending its nationals on the haj due to the pandemic.
Context: Indonesia’s new case totals reached 6,486 on Friday, 6,594 on Saturday, and 5,832 yesterday.
More...
Province: "673 Balinese Cancel Their Haj Pilgrimage" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Satpol PP Tightens Prokes at PKB" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
"Gilimanuk–Mengwi Toll Location Uncertain, Land Owners Not Invited" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The plan to socialize landowners affected by the Gilimanuk–Mengwi toll road has caused a polemic in the community. The reason is, the invitations distributed by the team from the Province of Bali through each village are still not evenly distributed. Not all landowners affected by toll road trajectories received socialization invitations. Village officials have distributed invitations to the community according to the invitation from the Bali provincial team. The socialization, which will be held from Monday until Thursday, was carried out separately. However, a number of residents who own land and buildings that are crossed by the toll road, based on the measurements and plans for the location of the toll roads, did not receive an invitation. Therefore, residents question the exact location that will be used for the toll road. This condition was also acknowledged by the Head of Kaliakah Village Headquarters, I Made Bagiarta.
More...
Nation: "Govt Ends Electricity Discounts for Small Homes" from The Jakarta Post
Nation: "Indonesia Committed to Cutting 1.02 Billion Tons of Carbon by 2030" from Antara
Province: "May 2021, Bali Province Experiences Deflation" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Indonesian Navy Builds Bridge on the Buleleng-Bangli Border" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Construction Project Blocked, 5 Subak in Tegallalang Gianyar Dry" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "District Government Develops Gianyar Botanical Gardens as Educational Tourism Destination" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Marine and Fisheries Investment, Jembrana Bali Prepares to Become a Seafood Products Base" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Tabanan Becomes Research Location for Garlic Development" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Education
"Ministry of Education and Culture: Face-to-Face Learning in New Academic Year" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) asked all regions to implement face-to-face learning starting in the upcoming 2021/2022 academic year. Director of Elementary Schools of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Sri Wahyuningsih, said the central government had issued a Joint Decree signed by 4 ministers, the Minister of Education and Culture, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Minister of Religion. All regional heads must prepare to carry out face-to-face learning. Schools are also required to provide access to health services, whether through the services of the School Health Unit (UKS) or the nearest health center. Students who take part in learning are only those who have received permission from their parents. Buleleng Regency Secretary Gede Suyasa said that ahead of the implementation of face-to-face learning, the government has boosted vaccinations for teachers and administrative staff at schools. Vaccinated human resources are approaching 100%. If someone has not been vaccinated, they are asked to come to the nearest health center to receive the vaccine.
More...
Denpasar: "Disdikpora Denpasar Revised Technical Guidlines for PTM" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Environment
"Ministry of Health Waits for Study on Using Covid-19 Vaccine for Children" from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian): The Ministry of Health ( Kemenkes ) said it was waiting for recommendations from the Indonesia Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) and the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) regarding the use of the Covid-19 vaccine for people under the age of 18. While ITAGI is still waiting for further studies on this possibility, even though China has given the green light to the use of Sinovac's Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 3-17 years. Vaccination Spokesperson from the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said there were actually no special concerns regarding the use of the Covid-19 vaccine for children. However, the safety of the vaccine against certain groups must be ensured. "Only because phase 3 clinical trials and vaccine safety studies have not been completed in children."
"Start-up Digest: Which Indonesian Firms Have IPO Plans?" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall): More and more Indonesian start-ups are announcing plans to go public after talks over mergers and special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC) escalated in recent months. Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) is trying to woo big tech start-ups by allowing them to use SPACs and conduct dual-class listings, both hot topics among tech start-ups worldwide. The move comes after several local unicorns, which are companies valued at more than US$1 billion, were reportedly considering listing abroad. Some of the Indonesian companies that have announced plans to go public in the near future are Tiket.com, Bukalapak, Traveloka, and GoTo Group.
Of Interest
"Indonesia's Hijab Headbangers Trade Village Life for Metal Heaven" from Agence France-Presse
"Jakarta Considers Bringing Back Odd-even Rule as Gridlocks Return" from Coconuts Jakarta
"Indonesia Wins Ticket Allocation for Surfing in Tokyo Olympics" from Antara
"Five BPJS Health Vendors Examined Regarding Population Data Leaks" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
"Largest Animal Photo Contest in Indonesia, IAPC 2021, Officially Launched" from Bali Prawara
"Meaning of Canang as the Smallest Ritual in Balinese Hinduism" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
"Bali Has 200 Traditional Games, Made Taro: Many are No Longer Played" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
"History of Asy-Syuhada Mosque in Denpasar's Bugis Village, Portrait of Tolerance for Islam and Hinduism" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
"Legend of Men Brayut Who Raised 18 Children, Story of a Strong Balinese Woman" from Suara Bali (Indonesian) (Indonesian)
"Tsunami Detectors Often Stolen, Bali Prone to Earthquakes and Tsunamis" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
"Meet the Expats Behind Scrumptious International Eateries" from Indonesia Expat
Photo of the Week
Caption (Indonesian): “Scavenger!” yell the people around her. A garbage collector is not a trendy profession for some people. "I just ignore them and keep working. After all, this work does not harm them - it helps nature. Even though it’s not much, the bonus can be extra money from selling plastic," she said. In her spare time, every afternoon she goes to the beach with her children. Ika collects plastic waste and her children play on the beach. Ika was born and raised in Kuta, and since childhood, she has often seen garbage that comes seasonally to the beach. Once it was organic, now it is plastic. "I teach my children to love nature in this way. Education through YouTube videos shows nature that is dirty because of our own actions," she said. @ikagek77 is a Plastic Bank Bali garbage collector. Thank you Ika and family for giving me and the team permission to record part of your life.
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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