November 29, 2021
Indonesia bars entry from 8 countries over Omicron + Quarantine increased to 7-days + Tightened activities over Xmas to protect Bali conferences + more
Good morning!
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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
Note: The seven-day average for new cases rose to above ten over the weekend and yesterday saw the first recoveries since November 14. Meanwhile, the In Treatment figure continues its steady increase, having risen every day since November 14. There are currently 124 cases in care.
The Big News
“Indonesia Bans Travelers From Southern African Countries Over Omicron Concerns” from The Jakarta Globe: Indonesia has decided to ban travelers from eight African countries, including South Africa, to prevent the spread of the new Covid-19 B.1.1.529 variant or the Omicron variant. According to a circular from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, signed by Widodo Eka Tjahjana, the interim director-general of immigration at the ministry, on Saturday, travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Nigeria are not allowed to enter Indonesia. The immigration office has also temporarily suspended visas for South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Nigeria. The rules for restricting the entry of foreigners and the temporary suspension of visas for the countries will come into effect on Monday.
“Indonesia Imposes 7-day Quarantine Rule for International Travelers” from Antara: Indonesia has extended its COVID-19 quarantine period for international and Indonesian travelers arriving in the country from three days to one week to anticipate the importation of Omicron variant. The Indonesian Government's decision to change its COVID-19 quarantine period for international travelers was disclosed by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on Sunday. The new COVID-19 quarantine period for foreign nationals and Indonesian citizens arriving in Indonesia from abroad would have been made effective at one minute after midnight on November 29, he said.
“Tightening Christmas-New Year Holidays to Protect Bali for Conferences” from Antara Bali (Indonesian): The daily chairman of the Bali COVID-19 Task Force, Dewa Made Indra, stated that the tightening of activities for the 2021 Christmas and New Year 2022 holidays was an effort to keep Bali from disrupting international meetings in 2022. "If COVID-19 cases rise again, this could change a number of plans for international meetings in 2022. If that happens, hopes to move the economy up in 2022 may not be achieved," he said. "In addition to the G20 Summit which was attended by world leaders, the GPDRR which was carried out by the United Nations was attended by hundreds of countries, with tens of thousands of participants. It should not be disturbed because of the increase in COVID-19 cases," he said.
Context: While it has been inferred in the past, this is the first we’ve seen of an official explicitly stating the tightening of rules over Christmas it to protect conferences in 2022. Elsewhere, the Deputy Governor declared Bali is “safe to visit” (Indonesian), there were suggestions businesses could need up to a year to prepare for tourists to return (Indonesian), and stories of bankruptcies and other difficulties continue (Indonesian).
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Other Headlines
“Governor of Bali Requests Quality Broadcasts to Prevent Hoaxes” from Antara Bali (Indonesian): Bali Governor Wayan Koster asked broadcasters on the Island of the Gods to support efforts to educate the public by providing quality broadcasts and information to prevent hoax information. On Friday, Koster said that currently there is a lot of inaccurate information broadcasting, even leading to hoaxes, and such conditions can have a negative impact on society. "This is certainly very dangerous, especially now that there is a tendency for our children to spend more time interacting with social media," he said. According to him, broadcasters should be able to actively participate in building community behavior with quality broadcasts.
Context: While the Governor did not mention hoaxes and Covid-19, in an Indonesia context the virus and miss-information has been tied to both WhatsApp (Paywall) and the use of “buzzers” for the manipulation of political discourse in the country (Indonesian, Paywall). For a more detailed look at the state of new media in Southeast Asia, this report is informative.
Vaccination Update
“Covid-19 Task Force Boosts Vaccination, Involves Police Picking Up Elderly” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The Buleleng Covid-19 Handling Task Force continues to boost Covid-19 vaccinations, especially in the elderly. The Task Force chose to pick up the elderly who had not received the COVID-19 vaccine. The Task Force deliberately cooperates with the police to optimize the realization of vaccinations in Buleleng Regency. Deputy Chairperson of the Buleleng Covid-19 Handling Task Force AKBP Andrian Pramudianto said his party had indeed asked Polri personnel to re-comb residents in the village. Both those who have not received the second dose, or those who have not received the vaccine at all.
More...
Nation: “Concerns Rise Over Indonesia’s Sputtering Virus Vaccinations” from The Diplomat
Nation: “Over 93.1 Million Indonesians Receive Second Vaccine Dose” from Antara
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Govt Spokesperson Advises Against Year-end Travel” from Antara: Government spokesperson for COVID-19 handling, Reisa Broto Asmoro, has urged people to refrain from traveling to their hometowns during the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. According to Asmoro, the tradition of traveling to hometowns also presents the risk of creating clusters of COVID-19 transmission in extended families. "The Home Affairs Ministry has also asked the regional government to ban arts, culture and sports activities from December 24, 2021 to January 2, 2022, close all squares on December 31, 2021 until January 1, 2022, and regulate the activities of street vendors in crowded centers so that (we) can keep (our) distance," she said.
More...
Nation: “44% Jakartans Have Developed Immunity to Covid” from Antara
Nation: “Indonesia Among Five Countries With Largest Drop in Covid-19 Cases” from Antara
Economy & Infrastructure
“Ministry Underlines Need for Banning Illegal Ornamental Coral Trade” from Antara”: The illegal trade in ornamental coral should be eliminated as it is not consistent with the government's blue economy policy, the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has said. "There should be no more illegal ornamental coral trade, especially taken from nature," the ministry's acting director general of ocean space management, Pamuji Lestari, said on Friday. Lestari reiterated that the ministry has strictly regulated coral harvesting and coral cultivation in Indonesian waters, in accordance with the Job Creation Law to prevent illegal coral trade.
More...
Province: “Passengers at Ngurah Rai Airport Increases to over 13,000” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: “Tens of Thousands of Gianyar Residents Don't Pay Vehicle Tax” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Education
“PGRI Calls on Teachers to Prepare for New Learning Model” from Antara: The Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) chairperson Unifah Rosyidi has called on teachers to prepare for the new learning model that combine online and offline learning. "The learning method will not return to the way it was. I call on the teachers, educators, and education staff to prepare themselves for the new learning model, a combination of online and offline learning," Rosyidi said on Sunday. Therefore, she urged teachers to open their mind and continue to innovate since those two things are necessitated at the moment. She also appealed to the government and regional administrations to prepare for the new era with the clear regulation, information dissemination, and coordination.
More...
Province: “Governor Koster Asks Teachers to Implement Balinese Script” from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Bali Reopening
“Tourists Start Visiting Nusa Penida, Suwirta Reminds Them on Prokes” from Bali Express (Indonesian)
“Regulation in Tourist Attractions Must Be Tightened Before Holidays” from Antara
“Flying Taxi Performs Flight Test in Bali” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): A flying taxi from China conducted a demo flight in Klungkung on Friday. The flight was attended by the Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly as well as the Chairman of the Indonesian Motorcycle Association Bambang Soesatyo, President Director of Prestige Image Motocars, Rudy Salim, representatives of the Asia Pacific regional EHang, representatives of the Ministry of Transportation and others. "This EHang will be able to travel to remote areas and can be a solution for land access so that it can increase productivity and support health in Indonesia because it is safe from pollution," said Rudy Salim. "Of course, we will rent it out later and the rates are very cheap, the numbers are only a few hundred thousand with a flight duration of 6 or 12 minutes. The cost is still calculated because the power uses electricity, so it is cheaper than conventional airplane fuel," said Rudy Salim.
Context: The story goes on to say the electric flying taxi has a capacity of two people and is most comfortable for those who weigh no more than 55 kilos — those who weigh over 70 kilos or are taller than 173 cm may find access to be “quite difficult”. While the vehicle does not have a cup holder, it does come with a manual which can be used “to reduce boredom as well as increase the sense of security when traveling”.
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Of Interest
“Bali Filmmakers Launch 'Bhatari Sri', a Film Set in the Beauty of Subak” from Kumparan (Indonesian)
“Indonesian Tree Planting Day Marks the Gelora Movement to Plant 10 Million Trees” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
“Danish Blasphemy Convict Deported From Bali” from Indonesia Expat
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How You Can Help Bali
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