March 8, 2022
PCR, antigen test rollback begins in Bali says Task Force + Indonesia cuts quarantine with further changes of varying lengths reported + Berawa Beach stalls get a talking to over rule breaches + more
Good morning!
Welcome to The Bali Beat for Tuesday, March 8. In today’s edition, we have announcements of a PCR and antigen test rollback beginning in Bali, Indonesia making further changes to quarantine requirements with a variety of periods reported, and Berawa beach bars get a talking to about them spoiling sunset views. Scroll down for the full wrap on what has been happening in Bali and Indonesia since you last heard from us.
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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.
Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
The Big News
“PCR, Antigen Testing Rollback to Start From Bali Says Task Force” from Antara: The relaxation of PCR and antigen testing requirements for domestic travelers will be implemented gradually, starting from Bali, the COVID-19 Handling Task Force has said. "This relaxation is being done gradually, starting from Bali with visa on arrival, quarantine free, and vaccination target," the task force's emergency health support sub-department head, Alexander K. Gintang, said on Monday. Under the policy, domestic travelers will be asked to remain cautious by monitoring the PeduliLindungi application, receiving complete and booster vaccination, remaining alert for symptoms, and complying with the health protocols, he said. Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that domestic travelers arriving via land, sea, and air, are no longer required to submit negative antigen or PCR test results.
“Indonesia Slashes Quarantine Days in Latest Travel Requirement” from Tempo: The Indonesian government has updated policies regarding international travelers. The Transportation Ministry Director General, Novie Riyanto, on Sunday said the travel adjustment policy is mentioned in the Circular No.20/2022 on the follow-up from another circular issued by the Covid-19 task force. Quarantine period for overseas travelers who have received the first dose vaccine is set at 7 days while those who have received two doses, or complete vaccinations, are slashed to 3 days. International travelers are required to undergo PCR tests and report the results to immigration officers in areas they arrive at. Those undergoing 7-day quarantine should test on the sixth day while the 3-day quarantine should take the tests on the third day.
Context: Other reports suggested the quarantine period had been shifted to one day only, and also noted that 47% of Umrah pilgrims are testing positive for Covid-19. These revisions to quarantine regulations do not appear to affect the rules announced yesterday pertaining to fully vaccinated international travellers of nominated nationalities flying in to Bali.
“Satpol PP Bali: Dozens of Stalls Breach the Border of Berawa Beach” from Antara Bali (Indonesian): The Bali Province Civil Service Police Unit synergized with the Badung Regency Satpol PP to collect data on dozens of business actors whose locations violated the boundary of Berawa Beach in Canggu. "In principle, if not now, when, we can't wait too long to see the damage to the panoramic view of the beach," said Bali Provincial Satpol PP Head Dewa Rai Dharmadi on Monday. Rai Dharmadi once again reminded that people are allowed to try, but not to "annex" public areas to open private businesses. The officers recorded 22 stall and bar businesses, of that number, only 17 ID cards of business owners were detained, because some owners and employees did not carry ID cards. "If it's just an umbrella, a sun-bed, and a table, we can understand that. But if it comes to constructing semi-permanent buildings, and even permanent ones on the beach border, it's a violation of the public area," he said.
Context: A very-brief overview on “semi-permanent buildings and a need to build 100 meters from the high tide mark (which applies to not only beach shacks) can be seen here.
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The Movement of Recovery (Yayasan Pergerakan Pemulihan) is one of the main drivers of mental health services in Bali. Together with BBB Community, they launched LISA (Love Inside Suicide Awareness), a helpline which offers support in Bahasa Indonesian and English. They offer free counselling and support for those in need. For more information, please visit their website here.
Want to share your message with the most engaged members of the foreigner community in Bali? Click here to learn how to place a classified ad.
Other Headline
“Greater Besakih Temple Complex Being Renovated” from Antara: Directorate General of Human Settlements of the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry is currently revitalizing Besakih Temple to facilitate the activities of worshipers and tourists. "Usually, the area will be very crowded when the temple holds a big religious celebration. Hence, we are constructing two different entry and exit routes and better road arrangement for visitors’ vehicles," PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said on Monday. However, the minister emphasized that construction in the area would not be conducted in the main building of the temple complex that is used as a worship place. Development in the Manik Mas sector comprises a 5-story parking building, 18 large kiosks, 12 small kiosks, a gathering hall, Melanting Temple, viewing tower, and access roads. Meanwhile, establishment of the Bencingah sector includes the construction of 196 large kiosks, 162 small kiosks, a gathering hall, two cultural halls, a courtyard, and a children's playground.
Vaccination Update
“Indonesia Expects to Vaccinate Entire Target Population This Month” from The Jakarta Globe: The Indonesian government is determined to vaccinate the entire target population against Covid-19 by the end of this month, a spokeswoman said on Saturday. At least 92% of more than 208 million eligible citizens have received at least one dose of the vaccine as of Saturday, government figures show. "We plan to get 100% of the target population vaccinated by at least a single dose in the end of March," Health Ministry spokeswoman Siti Nadia Tarmizi said. Government data also reveals that 70.7% of the target population are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. “But we will not stop there. We aim to fully vaccinate at least 70% of the whole Indonesian population ultimately. The booster dose is also publicly available and can be taken within three months after the last jab,” Siti said.
More...
Nation: “Gov't Appeals to People to Refrain From 'Vaccine Shopping'” from Antara
Nation: “148.02 Million Indonesians Fully Immunized Against Covid-19” from Antara
Nation: “Eye on Endemic Phase, Gov't Boosts Vaccinations for Older Adults” from Antara
Nation: “Gov't Collaborates With Business Actors in Booster Vaccine Provision” from Antara
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Java-Bali PPKM Extended Until March 14” from Kontan (Indonesian): The enactment of PPKM for Java Bali will be extended again to March 14. PPKM Java Bali was extended because the transmission of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia is still high, however, Covid-19 cases in Indonesia until March 6 are on a downward trend. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said Jabodetabek agglomeration area and Surabaya Raya re-entered Level 2 PPKM over the coming week. This is due to the situation in the two agglomeration areas that are improving. Luhut also revealed the condition of death cases in DKI, Bali and Banten decreased. He also predicted that the number of deaths in all three provinces will decrease in the near future.
More...
Province: “Nyepi Affects Air Quality in Bali” from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“60,000 MotoGP Race Day Tickets Sold Out Says Tourism Minister” from Antara: Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno has confirmed that 60,000 tickets for the third or race day of the 2022 Mandalika MotoGP have been sold out. "This is to respond to some news doubting MotoGP ticket sales," he said on Monday. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto had earlier said that the MotoGP tickets were sold out after confirmation regarding re-paving, the spectator capacity of 60,000, and the new requirement for MotoGP spectators under which spectators who have been fully vaccinated will not be required to undergo COVID-19 testing. The minister expressed the hope that 7,300 rooms around the Mandalika and Gili Lombok area will be occupied soon. "The plan is that I will stay in Gili for the first night, and then for the second night, I will try glamping in Mandalika," Uno said.
Context: Last week is was reported that 21,530 tickets had been sold (Indonesian), while other reports covered steep discounting that is underway. In related news, it has been announced that vaccinated attendees will no longer be required to do an antigen test and the track resurfacing is supposed to be finished today.
More...
Nation: “Citizenship Apps Not Integrated, Impeding Services” from Antara
Nation: “Critics Decry Jokowi’s Lackluster Response to Proposed Term Extension” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “Indonesia Devises Strategies to Achieve 23% Energy Mix by 2025” from Antara
Bali Reopening
“Tourists to Bali Are Quarantine-Free, Here's the Arrivals at Ngurah Rai Airport” from Merdeka (Indonesian): Overseas Travelers (PPLN) come to Bali from Monday without being quarantined. I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, also today provided a visa on arrival (VoA) for foreign tourists. "From the airport side, we have prepared a flow for visa on arrival," said Stakeholder Relations Manager Angkasa Pura I (Persero) I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Taufan Yudhistira, on Monday. Taufan said VOA checks after taking PCR swabs and before they headed to immigration. After the tourist undergoes a PCR swab then performs a VoA examination and then an immigration check. As for Monday's schedule, PPLN who came to Bali with Singapore Airlines at 11:50 and Scoot Tiger Air at 18:05. "For the pax planing is more or less for Singapore Airlines as many as 220 pax. As for Scoot Tiger is still on standby, we have not received information from the airline. If the departure that Singapore Airlines plans is approximately about 90 passengers. As for Scoot Tiger we have not been able to get data," he said.
Context: Another report noted Monday saw seven VOAs issued (Indonesian).
More...
“Bali Free of Quarantine Rules, Hotel Indonesia Optimistic Hotel Sector will Rise” from Kontan (Indonesian)
Of Interest
“Russian Travelers in Limbo in Bali Amid Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine” from Coconuts Bali
“Leonardo Dicaprio and Tobey Maguire Spotted Ordering Coconuts in Bali” from Coconuts Bali
“On the loose during Nyepi, Pecalang and Police Secure Five” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
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How You Can Help Bali
Due to the collapse of the tourism sector in Bali, tens of thousands of families have found themselves with a greatly reduced income—if any. If you’d like to support organizations working to help those in need, you can see a list of some here.
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