Monday, February 8
Island to transition to "Micro PPKM" regime thru Feb. 22; govt can't say what this means yet; Denpasar opens "Response Posts" in all 43 villages as part of plan + Island GDP shrinks 12% in Q4 + more!
Good morning! Welcome to The Bali Beat for Monday, February 8. If you’re not a subscriber, sign up here to get this update delivered directly to your Inbox every Monday-Friday morning, along with each evening’s Covid-19 update. If you are already a subscriber, thank you! Please be sure to share it with others in the island community by clicking the button below.
I happily put this newsletter together Monday through Friday as a public service, and it will be free so long as the current emergency lasts. *A paid subscription is NOT required to access this content.* However, if you would like to support my work, please consider making a donation of US$5/month by becoming a contributing subscriber at the link above. Or if you prefer to make a one-time donation - in any amount - click here.
Weather & Waves
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
Today’s Tides
Surf Outlook
Weather forecast from Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
Tide table from Tide-forecast.com.
Surf outlook via Windy.com.
Local Covid Numbers
*NOTE: Yesterday, Bali logged its highest-ever number of new cases on a weekend day, but recoveries kept pace so the "On Treatment" number didn't grow. Unfortunately, deaths continue at their record-breaking clip, with the first 7 days of February running 16% higher than at this point in the worst month so far, September (56 vs. 48).
Despite a big spike on Saturday, Bali flattened the curve last week, with new cases down 24% island-wide; only Bangli & Klungkung saw their numbers grow. Active cases were also down 11%, but deaths jumped. The 56 fatalities made it the 2nd-most deadly week of the pandemic. (The worst was 70 from September 6-12.) Nationally, February is also seeing deaths added at the fastest rate yet, with over 1,200 fatalities recorded in just the first five days.
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
"PPKM Micro in Bali Implemented Starting Tomorrow, WFH Loosened Up to 50%" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian): According to the Head of the National Covid-19 Task Force Health Management, Brigadier General TNI (Purn) Alexander Ginting , PPKM Micro focuses more on supervision down to the village level, including supervising people who are doing independent isolation. "Micro PPKM is carried out by limiting workplaces by implementing work from home (WFH) by 50 percent and work from office (WFO) by 50 percent by imposing more stringent health protocols," reads the 19th point listed in the Inmendagri... Responding to the plan to implement this micro PPKM, the epidemiologist from Airlangga University, Windhu Purnomo said, the concept of the policy was still unclear, both in terms and in substance. "What is meant by micro-scale PPKM? Is this the same term as micro-scale regional quarantine? Or is it just another name for a term such as 'resilient village?'" said Windhu.
Context: Other reporting specifies that the new "Micro PPKM" regime will be in place from Feb. 9-22, and that Governor Koster's office will issue a circular detailing its parameters. However, details were not yet available as they are still " in the finalization process."
"Bali Economy Shrank by 9.31% in 2020" from Coconuts: In the last quarter of 2020, Bali’s economy shrank by 12.21% year-on-year, which represented a 0.94% growth from the previous quarter. BPS cited travel restrictions introduced prior to the year-end holidays as having impacted the local economy, as it resulted in many travelers from other parts of Indonesia cancelling their trips to the island.
Context: Bali’s GDP shrank every quarter in 2020 as compared with 2019. Overall, the country’s GDP contracted by 2.07% for the entire year.
Hospital Capacity Update
"The Stock of Covid-19 Patient Rooms is Running Out" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): Bed Occupancy Ratio (BOR) or the occupancy rate of Covid-19 patients at seven hospitals in Gianyar, as of Friday (5/2), reached 85.1%. From the capacity of the isolation beds as many as 208 beds, 177 patients were filled. Meanwhile, the isolation bed in the ICU, from a capacity of 19 beds, was filled with 3 patients or the same as 15.8%. This is according to data from the Gianyar Regency Health Office, he said.
>> Classifieds <<
In a time of social distancing, it’s harder than ever to get your message out and reinforce community. If you’ve got a story to tell or a message that needs to be heard -and if you’re reading this newsletter- then try a classified ad in this space. Click here for more details.
Some Covid Context
In this occasional section I’ll share interesting or insightful features from around the world that I come across that inform issues we’re facing here. Today, it’s an outside perspective on the country’s vaccine rollout program.
On 13 January, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received the first dose of the CoronaVac vaccine, manufactured by Chinese firm Sinovac, after interim data from phase III trials in late 2020 found the vaccine to be 65.3% effective. The vaccine trials and rollout across the world has been shrouded in some controversy, and the vaccine’s reception in Indonesia has been mixed. As the government embarks on one of the largest vaccination programs in its history, what are the challenges? Is it taking the right approach, and will the vaccine do its job and arrest the pandemic in Indonesia?
To explore these questions and more, Dr. Jemma Purdey chats to Dr. Ines Atmosukarto, a molecular biologist from the John Curtin School of Media Research at the ANU’s College of Health and Medicine. Ines is CEO of Lipotek Pty Ltd which develops vaccines and cancer treatments, and was previously project leader at the Research Centre for Biotechnology at the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI).
NOTE: Click on the embedded player above to listen or open the episode in Soundcloud. You can also find it in your favorite podcatcher by searching for "Talking Indonesia,” or you can listen to it on the program’s website here. If you’ve heard a podcast or watched a video that you think can inform issues that we are facing here in Bali, let me know at newsletter@migrationmedia.net.
Other Headlines
"Carry out the TNI Commander's Instruction, Antigen Rapid Test in Bali Targeted at 2,000 Every Day" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian): Following up on the instructions of the TNI Commander, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto regarding 3T (Tracing, Testing and Treatment) Korem 163 / Wira Satya and their staff are trying to consistently conduct socialization and education. Danrem said that the antigen rapid test service is being intensified, one of which is being held in places of worship. "Every day as many as 50 to 100 antigen kits are allocated in each area which is coordinated by the Military District Command," he explained. Based on central government directives, tracing and testing are carried out on as many as 2,000 residents every day. "But we are still far from that. Maybe only 25%," he said.
Prokes & Patrols
"Denpasar City Government Establishes Covid-19 Response Posts in 43 Villages and Sub-Districts" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): "This response post will help and coordinate and educate the public about Covid-19, starting with symptoms, modes of transmission, and prevention according to the 3M health protocol to Banjar Banjar in dealing with Covid 19," said Head of Denpasar City Community Empowerment Office IB Alit Wiradana. The priority of activities or tasks to be carried out is community assistance in the fields of health, food, hygiene communication, information and education on disaster management and Covid-19.
More...
Bangli: "Don't Try, in Bangli, Don't Use Direct Antigen Test Masks" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Samplangan Market Prokes Inspection, Free Rapid Test Facilitation Officer" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Going to the Tourist Village of Ubud, 7 Foreigners Netted in Mask Raids" from Radar Balli (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Checking Out Clubbing Places during Covid, Rapid Antigen Café Visitors" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"In Addition To 9.4 Trillion Soft Loans, Deputy Governor Cok Ace Proposed 2 Million Doses Of Vaccines For Tourism Workers" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian): At the coordination meeting to discuss the National Economic Recovery (PEN) fund, the Deputy Governor of Bali Tjok. Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati or Cok Ace outlined four (4) proposals from the Bali Provincial Government to the center. Among them are applications for working capital assistance in the form of soft loans to the Central Government amounting to Rp. 9.4 trillion with a tenor of 10 years and a grace period of 2-3 years. In addition to that for economic recovery amid the pandemic, the Bali Provincial Government also requested 2 million doses of vaccine to be given to tourism sector workers. This is done to provide a sense of security to both workers and tourists who will come to visit.
Vaccination Update
"Gov't to Start Vaccination on People Above 60 on Monday" from The Jakarta Globe: Indonesia will start the Covid-19 vaccination on the people aged 60 or older on Monday after the country's drug supervisory authority cleared the CoronaVac, made by Chinese Sinovac Biotech, for emergency use among the elderly. Indonesia currently has more than 29 million doses of Sinovac's vaccine in stock. The country has administered more than 784,000 first-dose vaccines to medical workers since Jan 13 and aimed to complete the vaccination on 1.63 million medical workers by the end of this month.
More...
Nation: "BPOM Approves Sinovac Jab for Seniors Over 60" from Indonesia Expat
Nation: "Swab Test Drive Thru Solution People Fear of the Hospital" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "400 Denpasar Health Workers Are Mass Vaccinated for Covid-19" from Republika (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Missed Covid Vaccination Target in Jembrana, Kadiskes Reveals This Fact" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Pursuing the Target, Health Office of Mass Vaccine for Health Workers at Puskesmas Tabanan III" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"Bali Produces 3 Tons of Medical Waste a Day During Pandemic" from Republika (Indonesian): "Garbage has been managed by each health facility, there is already a third party as the manager and then sent to West Java and processed there," said Ketut Suarjaya, Head of the Bali Province Health Service (Kadiskes). He said medical waste generated during this pandemic period consisted of medical waste for handling Covid-19 and non-Covid-19. One of them, syringes, medicines, PPE, and masks. He said, referring to standards, in Bali there is no suitable place for treating medical waste.
"PTM Simulation in Buleleng Is Again Conducted, the Regent Doesn't Want to Make a Dope" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): Face-to-face Learning Simulation (PTM) is again carried out, if previously the simulation was carried out at SDN 3 Banjar Jawa, now it continues to SMPN 1 Singaraja. Although he has carried out the PTM simulation twice, Buleleng Regent Putu Agus Suradnyana does not want to think about when it will start, however, the health program has been carefully prepared. From the review conducted by the PAS Regent, there are several schemes for the implementation of prokes at PTM at SMPN 1 Singaraja that still need improvement. Both from entering the school gate to returning home.
Context: Karangasem, which is also running tests at some schools to prepare for when they are allowed to reopen, is dealing with a potential outbreak at one school where a teacher has tested positive and the case was traced to one of her students. Klungkung is also conducting face-to-face learning at a few schools as tests of their health protocols, but they are facing opposition from a sizeable group of parents, with some schools seeing 30% of parents refusing to give permission for their children to participate.
"The Last 6 Months Kuta Beach 4 Times Abrasions" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): Based on the records of the Kuta Traditional Village, in the last 6 months Kuta Beach experienced 4 abrasions. The latest came last Monday morning. Bandesa Adat Kuta, I Wayan Wasista, said that due to the extreme weather, there was frequent abrasion of Kuta Beach. “The main cause of abrasion on Kuta Beach is high tide. So, when the sea level rises, the sand on the coast is carried out to sea," he said. However, Wasista appreciated the quick response from the Badung Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR). According to him, the PUPR Agency has been handling abrasion quickly. “In the past, the abrasion wasn't too bad. However at this time it is very worrying. In front of Setra, the hollows are visible,” explained Wasista.
Of Interest
"Bali Construction Projects Halted, Unemployment Rises In The Sector" from The Bali Sun
"Ash Rain Blankets Banyuwangi After Mt. Raung Erupts" from Antara
"The Provincial Government Does Not Have Detailed Data Regarding Hotels for Sale in Bali" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian)
"Police Cite 3,699 Traffic Offenders During the Pandemic" from Antara (Indonesian)
"Survey: Satisfaction With Jokowi Reaches 70.3% Even Though Covid-19 Is Still High" from Antara (Indonesian)
"There Is a School in Klungkung Where 30% of Parents Do Not Give Face-to-face Permission" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"BP2MI: Supervision is Conducted to Prevent Illegal PMI [in Bali]" from Republika (Indonesian)
"Bali Automotive Market Absorption Is Believed To Be Strong” from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
The View from Outside
"'Disaster': Indonesia's Vaccine Campaign Lags Rampaging Pandemic" from Reuters: Infections and deaths are rising faster than ever. Even if the vaccination programme goes smoothly, it will be months before the general population starts to be inoculated, health experts say. “Disaster,” said Pandu Riono, a University of Indonesia epidemiologist when asked what he expects of the coming months. “Healthcare will have already collapsed. Already there are many stories about people dying on arrival, in emergency and on the way because they are searching for a hospital. Even the graveyards are running out of space.” Asked about claims the pandemic is spreading faster than vaccines can be administered, COVID-19 task force spokesman Wiku Adisasmito said the government was doing its best with available resources, and rather than focus on “negative predictions” it was working hard to implement “comprehensive health protocols, vaccines and clinical care at the same time."
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 newsletter@migrationmedia.net.
About This Newsletter
This newsletter is a product of Migration Media, the hub for stories from and about the international migrant experience.
Our standards
We only include news items from established media sources
We do not share rumors.
We do not include opinion pieces or forecasts.
For all stories marked "Indonesian" I have used Google Translate to convert it from Bahasa. In most cases I try to polish the excerpt and/or write a short summary in proper English to help clarify the details.
For any questions, comments or tips, please contact us at newsletter@migrationmedia.net.