November 3, 2021
Three day quarantine for vaxxed foreign tourists approved + Antigen test only for domestic flights from today + Bali PPKM stays at level 2 + more
Good morning!
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With the island reopening to visitors and the success of the government’s vaccination program, we here at The Bali Beat are happy to mark this new era by including a Local Events section in the newsletter. Starting next week, in the Monday, November 8 issue, we’ll be making space for up to 5 announcements per day from businesses and community organizations that want to let readers know what they’ve got going on.
This is, by far, the single most requested feature for the newsletter, but we don’t want to clutter the reading experience, so these announcements will be limited in length — no more than 100 characters — and they will run after the “Of Interest” stories. Also, as a way to support the reopening efforts, for the first two weeks we’re making these listings available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to get your event included, please click here.
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
“3-Day Quarantine for Fully Vaccinated International Travelers” from Kompas (Indonesian): Spokesman for the Covid-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito said the reduction of the quarantine period to three days only applies to international travelers who have been fully vaccinated. Wiku also said international travelers who had just received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine still had to undergo quarantine for five days. In addition, international travelers are required to carry out a Covid-19 test upon arrival at the arrival gate and be tested again after undergoing quarantine.
Context: This related story (Indonesian) pulls together themes on the government voicing concerns about a third wave over the holiday period rush while simultaneously removing PCR tests for flights and reducing quarantine requirements for foreign tourists.
“Antigen Test Effective From Today” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): The Ministry of Transportation ensures that it will adjust the flight requirements according to the latest regulations. In the rules it is stipulated that travel by airplane can use the results of the antigen test. The new provisions are contained in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 57 of 2021 concerning PPKM Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 in the Java and Bali Regions. As for the latest rules, which are allowed to use an antigen test as a flight condition for passengers with a second dose of vaccine, it will take effect from Wednesday, November 3, 2021.
“PPKM in Bali Remains at Level 2” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): PPKM in Java and Bali have been extended again. This was conveyed by the Ministry of Home Affairs by issuing technical rules for the extension of the PPKM from November 2 to 15, 2021. In accordance with the instructions of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 57 of 2021 concerning the newly issued PPKM, the Province of Bali is in a level 2 position. "Bali for all regencies and cities is still at level 2," said the Daily Chair of the Covid-19 Handling Task Force in Bali, Dewa Made Indra on Tuesday.
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Other Headlines
“2021 Mandalika WSBK to Spark Indonesia Tourism Revival” from Antara: Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has said he is optimistic the 2021 Mandalika World Superbike event in West Nusa Tenggara will mark the beginning of tourism revival. According to an internal meeting on 2021 Mandalika WSBK, the number of spectators for the event has been limited to 25% of the venue's capacity, Uno said. As the venue capacity is around one hundred thousand spectators, thus only 25,000 spectators will be allowed to watch the race on-site, he added. Hence, ticket sales and event promotions have already started, he noted.
Context: Media reports over the weekend noted the cheapest (IDR 795,000) tickets were already sold out (Indonesian). As of yesterday 31.88% of the eligible population of Central Lombok had been fully vaccinated.
Vaccination Update
“Vaccines for Kids: This Is How Many Children There Are in Bali” from Bali Post (Indonesian): The Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency issued a permit to use the Sinovac vaccine for children aged 6 to 11 years. As of October 31, 2021, the total population of Bali aged 6-11 years is 398,743 people. It consists of 206,157 men and 192,586 women. This number is spread across all regencies/cities in Bali. In Buleleng the most were 85,070 people, followed by Denpasar with 60,126 people, and Karangasem with 55,599 people.
More ...
Nation: “Government to Expedite Covid-19 Vaccination Amid High Mobility” from Antara
Klungkung: “Police Intensify Door to Door Covid-19 Vaccinations” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Ahead of Galungan, Bali Health Office Worried About Third Wave” from Suara Bali (Indonesian): The head of the Bali Health Service, Ketut Suarjaya, said that a surge in Covid-19 cases could occur at any time. He also reminded the public ahead of Galungan in the next few days not to ignore the Health protocols. "The next wave can happen at any time, we don't know because the virus can mutate. But we hope it doesn't happen," he said on Tuesday. "Next week there will be a galungan, yes, there must be a crowd and each family is fighting to gather. Usually those who gather do not wear masks, this is what everyone needs to understand. It's okay to gather together but I urge you to wear masks," he said.
More...
Nation: “Why Securitization of Covid-19 Response Sets Dangerous Precedent” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “Expedite Data Collection on Children Orphaned by Covid” from Antara
Economy & Infrastructure
“NTB Imports Down 63.53% in September” from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): The import value of West Nusa Tenggara in September 2021 was US$4.86 million, down 63.53% compared to August with an import value of US$13.34 million. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of NTB noted that the significant decline in imports was due to rubber imports which fell drastically in September with a value of US$1.5 million, much lower than August's import value of US$7.9 million. Head of BPS NTB Wahyudin explained that despite the decline, rubber and rubber goods were still the largest imported commodities with a percentage of 31.81% of the total import value.
More ...
Nation: “Energy Minister Outlines Plan for Phasing Out PLTUs” from Antara
Nation: “East Lombok Tobacco Industrial Area Expected to Suppress Illegal Cigarettes” from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: “Badung Council Asks for South Ring Road Project to be Continued” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Education
“School Teacher Tests Positive, Class Switches to Remote Learning” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): One of the elementary schools in Karangasem was forced to resume distance learning. This is after a teacher was confirmed positive for Covid-19 on October 31. This was confirmed by the Head of the Karangasem Regency Youth and Sports Education Office, I Wayan Sutrisna on Tuesday. "Yes, initially there was one teacher who was confirmed positive for Covid-19, because the person concerned had previously taught in one class, then tracing and swab were carried out, the result was that one 5th grade student tested positive," said Sutrisna.
Bali Reopening
“Changing Rules, ASITA Bali Calls Government Indecisiveness” from Bali Express (Indonesian): More than a week after the mandatory implementation of PCR as a condition for air transportation travel, the government has again changed the travel rules for airplane users with only an antigen test. This was highlighted by the recently elected Chairman of the Regional Board of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies Bali, Putu Winastra. He said the existence of these policies was a form of the central government's indecisiveness in making a rule. “Rules should be reviewed, then finalized, socialized, and implemented. Don't suddenly apply, suddenly disappear again. With these changes, it shows that policy makers are uncoordinated, not firm, and inconsistent in making policies that ultimately harm the community," he said on Tuesday.
Context: ASITA itself has frequently voiced concerns (Indonesian) about changing rules while also requesting rule changes (Indonesian).
More...
Nation: “Indonesia Pushes for Vaccinated Travel Lane With Australia” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Province: “Domestic Passengers Rise at Ngurah Rai Airport” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
“Live on Board, a Quarantine Alternative for Foreign Tourists in Bali” from Liputan6 (Indonesian): Foreign tourists entering Bali can choose from several options offered by the government for quarantine. The first location is on the mainland with 35 hotels spread across Ubud, Nusa Dua, and Sanur. Meanwhile, the second location is in the waters with a live on board concept. Deputy for Tourism Products and Activities of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Rizky Handayani said there were 38 ships that had registered to be quarantine ships. It carries out verification to the ship to ensure the implementation of the CHSE procedure on the ship. Quarantine procedures for foreign tourists who choose quarantine on ships are not much different from those who choose quarantine on land. They are required to undergo a PCR test before departing and upon arrival at the airport. If the result is negative, they will immediately go to where the ship docked.
Context: The story does not make clear is the live aboard would need to remain at anchor while quarantining guests.
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Of Interest
“Fire Occurs on Rinca Island, Komodo National Park” from Republika (Indonesian)
“Komodo Park Guides Asked to Support Ecotourism Development” from Antara
“Singaraja Prison to be Relocated” from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
“White Monkeys in Uluwatu, is it a Sign?” from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
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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