May 31, 2021
Bali's Covid-19 task force lacks tracing teams + Work From Bali will raise hotel occupancy by 25% says national hospitality assoc. + Villages minister permits opening of Bali's tourism villages + 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: Among the 42 new cases reported yesterday there was 1 overseas-acquired case, this time recorded in Tabanan. With 2 more deaths on Sunday, total fatalities have reached 1,500.
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
"Evaluation of Covid-19 Handling in Bali; Task Force Lacks Tracing Teams" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The Bali provincial government cannot fulfill the minimum number of tracing teams. As a result, tracking Covid-19 cases is running with minimal effort. Daily Chair of the Bali Covid-19 Task Force, Dewa Made Indra, said in Indonesia one case should be tracked by at least 25 to 30 people. However, Bali is only able to trace 8 to 9. Head of the Bali Health Office, Dr. Ketut Suarjaya, said, "There is the ability to check 2,500 samples daily, but on average we check 500 to 600 samples. There is still a lot to check, but it depends on the tracing ability." He said there should be at least five tracers for every puskesmas [community health center] but this has not yet been achieved. With 120 puskesmas multiplied by five, a minimum of 600 tracers is needed. Unfortunately, existing personnel have to bear a lot of burdens; apart from being tracers, they also serve as vaccinators. "Now there are a lot of tracer teams assigned the dual duty for vaccinations so there can't be a maximum of 25 to 30 [traced for each case]." Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono said quality in controlling Covid-19 can be assessed from the bed occupancy rate (BOR) and case tracking (tracing). For this Bali received a bad score, namely D, while the worst is Jakarta, which received E. Dewa Made Indra admitted he has not received any official information regarding this circulating information.
"'Work From Bali Will Increase Hotel Occupancy by 25%'" from Republika: The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) stated that hotel managers are ready to welcome the Work From Bali (WFB) policy planned by the government and that WFB can increase hotel occupancy by at least 20-25%. The chairman of PHRI Badung, Bali, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, said the hotel occupancy rate is currently at the lowest level, which is only 10-15%. The WFB policy, which plans to dispatch 25% of state civil servants to work from Bali, is believed to be able to directly improve hotel occupancy rates.
Context: Seven ministries under the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment that will be part of the Work From Bali initiative: the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and Ministry of Investment. Head of the Badung Tourism Office, Raka Darmawan, has also said the WFB policy will help improve occupancy rates.
"Villages Minister Permits Tourism Villages to Open in Bali" from Republika (Indonesian): The Minister of Rural Development and Transmigration, Abdul Halim Iskandar, has allowed the opening of tourist villages in Bali. This step is to support the Work From Bali program for economic recovery in the Island of the Gods." The form of support from the village ministry will do the same by opening all tourist villages on the island of Bali as a basis for economic recovery," he said. "If tourism on the island of the Gods Bali is widely opened, then what must be paid attention to the Covid-19 case must be really selected and in the village must also be a part of it because we are talking about Bali," he said again. To date, the amount of funds for tourism villages committed by President Joko Widodo has reached Rp.72 trillion.
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Other Headlines
"After Covid-19 Vaccinations, Number of Covid-19 Patients Decreased at Sanglah General Hospital" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): Director of Sanglah Hospital Denpasar, Dr. Wayan Sudana, said, "Previously we had 202 beds for Covid-19 patients and because the number has started to fall we reduced the number of beds." On the other hand, the number of non-Covid-19 patients has increased considerably. "Until now we have 164 beds, from 164 the occupancy rate continues to decline. Today, May 28, we have 164 BOR beds, only 9.7% are filled. So it's very small, only 16 people." Dr. Wayan added, "But we have been reminded by the Minister to be vigilant because recently there was a long holiday, usually two weeks after the long holiday cases go up. We are still preparing for a surge and are ready to convert beds into a Covid-19 isolation room."
Vaccination Update
"Research Team: Merah Putih Vaccine Will be Used in Early 2022" from Antara Bali (Indonesian): Head of the Merah Putih [Red and White] Vaccine Research Team, Universitas Airlangga Surabaya, Prof. Fedik Abdul Rantam, stated that after obtaining good results during phase one preclinical trials, the vaccine will be ready for use in early 2022. The tests include immunotyping, kidney, hematology, toxicity, and total blood count. The results of this examination are used as the basis for conducting phase two preclinical testing. For that, Prof. Fedik said, currently his team is preparing a phase two preclinical test, using macaques as the test animal. “We will then determine the efficacy, dosage, etc. For the preparation of phase one clinical trials in humans, which begin in August.”
More...
Nation: "10,486,399 Residents Have Received 2nd Dose of Covid-19 Vaccine" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "1.2 Million Balinese Have Received First Dose of Covid-19 Vaccine" from Republika (Indonesian)
Badung: "Vaccination Phase Two for Tourism Actors in Nusa Dua 100% Complete" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "More Than Half of Denpasar Residents Have Been Vaccinated" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Ministry of Health Adds 27,020 Vaccines for Jembrana" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Predicted to be Difficult to Achieve, Vaccination in Kubu Exceeds the Target" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Tabanan Complete Vaccination in All Villages" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
Badung: "Prokes Raid, 5 Foreigners Caught Not Using Masks" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "In 5 Months, Thousands of Prokes Violators Netted in Denpasar" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Prokes Discipline, Residents Rarely Get Fines, These Are the Facts" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
"New Spice Museum in Buleleng: Saving Hundreds of Types of Spice Plants for Youth Education" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The Sang Natha Spice Museum's mission is simple: Introducing spices to young people. The museum stands on an area of 1.2 hectares. No less than 130 types of spices can be found in this area. The museum is managed by Made Suyasa Wijaya Dwijaksara, a farmer from Buleleng. For the past six years he has been preparing for this project, which was opened to the public on Friday. Over the past several years, Suyasa Wijaya has been intensively studying spices. Whether it's history, how to plant, how to process, and the uses of each spice. Apart from that, he is concerned about today's young generation. Many don't know spices very well. The museum is also dedicated to young people, who really want to learn more about spices.
More...
Nation: "Indonesia to Add 41,000 Megawatts of Electrical Power in One Decade" from Antara
Province: "National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference Not Held in Bali, Held at End of June in Kendari" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Badung: "Sidan Dam Expected to Bring Prosperity to Balinese People" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Bangli: "Price of Large Chilis and Shallots Drop Drastically, Farmers at a Loss" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Three Big Investors Invest in Jembrana, Ready to Recruit Thousands of Workers" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Dozens of Hectares of Rice Paddies in Jembrana Bali See Drought Conditions" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Restricted Art and Religious Activities, Kendang Orders Dropped Drastically" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
"Indonesian Police and Army Launch Hotline 110" from Indonesia Expat: National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, together with Indonesian Armed Forces Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, has launched an emergency service hotline, number 110. It’s a fast response service for the police to answer public complaints. Hotline 110 began operations on 20th May. The National Police Chief said, “The police hotline number 110 is an effort to facilitate public access and speed up the National Police’s response when the community needs it,” said Listyo. The hotline 110 device itself is currently available at 420 points, namely one at the National Police Headquarters, 32 regional police departments, and 387 police headquarters. The service itself is free for people who need a response from the authorities.
"Nearly 300 Rescued in Maluku Ferry Accident" from Agence France-Presse: Search teams are looking for one missing person after rescuing all other passengers from a large ferry that caught fire in North Maluku, an official said Sunday. The KM Karya Indah was heading to Sanana, a remote port in the northeast of Maluku when it was engulfed in flames. Shortly after departing, the ferry caught fire, forcing passengers and crew to jump into the sea to save themselves. There no reported casualties. "There were 275 people on board, 274 had been evacuated safely," Muhammad Arafah, the head of the local search and rescue team said. "One person, a 43-year-old man, is still being searched for." He added that at least 35 passengers were children. Images shared by the search and rescue agency showed the large ferry enveloped in thick, dark smoke while passengers in life jackets were rescued by rafts. More than a dozen crew members have been detained and questioned by the local police to determine the cause of the fire.
"Residents Anxious, Medical Waste Dumped Carelessly" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): The discovery of medical waste dumped on private land has unsettled residents of Bitera sub-district in Gianyar. Dumping medical waste is a criminal offense. Nearby Sanjiwani Hospital confirmed that the medical waste did not come from it. The medical waste wrapped in plastic bags contained used plastic infusion bottles, medicines, masks and the like. Local residents are anxious because most understand that medical waste should be handled by a special waste manager. In addition, in traditional villages, this garbage is also called 'cemer' or dirty garbage, which can disturb the sanctity of the village. The garbage has been secured and deposited at the Sanjiwani Hospital for further investigation.
"Russian National Arrested for Alleged Attempt to Smuggle Psychedelic Drug DMT into Bali" from Coconuts Bali: The Bali chapter of the national narcotics agency (BNNP Bali) intercepted a package from Ukraine earlier this month after customs officials grew suspicious of the shipment. According to BNNP Bali Chief Gde Sugianyar Dwi Putra, an x-ray imaging of the package showed a piece of wood authorities suspect contained illegal drugs. The agency then delivered the package to the listed address — a villa in South Kuta — on May 19, where it was received by a Russian national identified as AG. Sugianyar said authorities seized about 194 grams of DMT, and the 32-year-old was arrested on the same day. He has been charged with violation of articles under Indonesia’s 2009 Narcotics Law and faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.
Of Interest
"Indonesia, Sweden Sign Cooperation Contract on Warship Maintenance" from Antara
"Iranian Media Say Tanker Seized in Indonesia is Released" from Reuters
"Indonesia Ships Second Batch of Oxygen Cylinder Aid to India" from Antara
"Increasing Awareness of Indonesians Living in 'Disaster Supermarket'" from Antara
"Legend of Leak and Rangda in Bali, the Story of a Witch Who Likes to Kidnap and Eat Small Children" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
"Why Are Majority of Balinese Hindus? Differences Between Hindu Bali and India" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
"Japanese Citizen Died Due to Covid-19 During Independent Isolation" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
"Beware of Rabies Spike, Tabanan Agriculture Office Plans to Vaccinate 71,000 Dogs" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"Woman from Florida United States Found Lifeless in Villa Room" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Four Hours of Evacuation for Resident Buried in Well" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
"Consecutive Collisions on Sunset Road Kuta, Six Car Owners Agree on Peace" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Two Bali Hotels Enter TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Top 10 Best Hotels in the World for 2021" 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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