October 21, 2021
Bali considers floating quarantine for foreign tourists + Minister: Bali is ready for Australians + Travel agents lose over IDR 5 trillion + more
Good morning!
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Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
The Big News
“Bali Seeks to Give Tourists Holiday Feel During Quarantine” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall): The lackluster response to Bali’s reopening, with few tourists keen to be locked up in a hotel room for five days, is forcing the government to think outside the box. It now wants to allow foreigners to spend the five days of mandatory quarantine aboard boats off the coast of Bali. Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said the island-province had received requests from tourists and industry players that were interested in a five-day quarantine at sea, where visitors would be able to enjoy outdoor activities, such as diving and swimming.
“Minister: Bali Ready for Australian Tourists” from ABC Australia: Indonesian Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno says his message to the Australian government is that Indonesia has taken the right steps to welcome back tourists. But while he says Indonesia is ready to accept tourists, he understands the process of Australia approving travel for tourists will take time. "Australian tourists are the number one market for Bali in particular, but we just have to understand the Australian government's decision and priority, and we fully respect that. He says discussions he's had in the past with Australian officials indicated that they were prioritising domestic tourism in 2021 and would look to have more detailed discussions with the Indonesian government about opening tourism in 2022.
“Travel Agents Lose Over IDR 5 Trillion Due to Covid-19” from Merdeka (Indonesian): Travel agencies on the island are estimated to have lost more than IDR 5 trillion due to Covid-19. "We had recorded data from March 2020 to the end of 2020, that's a loss compared to the travel agency, we once calculated it to be IDR 5 trillion by the end of the year," said Chairman of the Association of The Indonesian Tours And Travel Agencies, Ketut Ardana on Wednesday. "Now, it's 2021 and now it's October. That means from January to October alone, it could be more than Rp. 5 trillion," he said. There are 406 travel agents or full members under the auspices of Asita Bali. When asked if any travel agents went bankrupt, Ardana admitted that he had not received a report, however, only 250 of the 406 travel agents are still active.
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Other Headlines
Vaccination Update
“PPKM Lowered, Vaccinations Still Done Incessantly” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): After successfully dropping from level 3 to level 2, Buleleng Regency is still trying to suppress the spread of confirmed cases of Covid-19. One of them is by continuing to intensively carry out doses I and II vaccinations for the community, both people with disabilities, teenagers, and the elderly so that they can really break the chain of Covid-19 spread. Coordinator for the Data and Information Sector of the Buleleng Covid-19 Task Force, Ketut Suwarmawan, said that according to the data on the Covid-19 vaccination schedule, on Thursday, four villages and six health centers would carry out vaccinations starting at 08.00.
More ...
Nation: “Indonesia to Ask Merck for Local Production of Molnupiravir” from The Jakarta Globe
Gianyar: “Hundreds of Elderly Receive Vaccinations in Banjar Ulapan Abiansemal” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“PPKM Denpasar Down to Level 2, Religious Activity Rules Relaxed” from iNews Bali (Indonesian): The Denpasar Bali City Government has relaxed rules for religious activities. The policy was carried out in relation to the downgrading of the PPKM status in Denpasar from Level 3 to Level 2. "Denpasar has gone down to PPKM Level 2," said Deputy Mayor of Denpasar, Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa, on Wednesday. Arya Wibawa said, with the decline in the level of PPKM in Denpasar City, a number of community activities that were originally prohibited can now be carried out again. A number of public facilities such as city parks and public squares have also begun to open. People are now free to carry out activities in public places. "Including cultural activities, customs, and arts can also be done again," he said.
More...
Nation: “Java-Bali Airplane Passenger Capacity Can Be 100%” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Nation: “Pedulilindungi Can Be Used For Early Prevention of Spread of Covid-19” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Nation:“Dozens of Lombok Students Poisoned After Eating Fried Tempeh” from Kumparan (Indonesian)
Province: “TB in Bali Reaches 1,963 Cases, 90% Cure Rate” from Berita Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: “One District in Denpasar Enters Green Zone” from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Jembrana: “Dozens Attacked by Rabid Dogs This Year” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Karangasem: “Basarnas Evacuates Injured Climbers After Ritual On Agung” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Fishermen Not Taking Full Advantage of Government Aid” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): A total of 1,081 fishermen in Karangasem received assistance with a converter kit type outboard engine in 2018. This outboard engine uses LPG as fuel. The fishermen who receive government assistance have not maximized the use of the 5 PK outboard engine because the speed is very slow. Advisor to the Tirta Nadi Fisherman Group, in Banjar Lebah, Purwakerti Village, Abang District, Karangasem, I Wayan Ngetis Rai, said that in order to maximize the assistance of the 5 PK outboard engine kit, one more engine needed to be supported so that it could be used at sea. "The 5 PK outboard engine is very slow because the jukung we use is longer and wider," said Wayan Ngetis on Tuesday.
More ...
Nation: “Indonesia Seeks Japanese Investment in Three Renewable Energy Projects” from Antara
Nation: “Jokowi Seeks Regional Governments' Assistance in Driving Exports” from Antara
Province: “Airport Passenger Arrivals Up Slightly On Prophet's Birthday” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Province: “75,000 PKM Not Disbursed, Social Minister Performs Quick Disbursement” from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Badung: “Bali Mandara Toll Road Traffic Up 20%” from Berita Bali (Indonesian)
Education
“Schools Provide Care to Protect, Police Remind About Prokes” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): A number of schools in Badung have started implementing Face-to-face Learning (PTM). In order to maintain Prokes during PTM, a number of schools in Mengwi, Badung have provided a QR Code Scan of Care Protect. This was conveyed by the Badung Police Chief, AKBP Leo Dedy Defretes, on Wednesday. "Installing the Cares for Protect QR Code Scan is one way of tackling the spread of Covid-19 among students who are starting to carry out PTM," said AKBP Defretes. In addition, he said, almost all of junior high and high school students in Mengwi District had also undergone the Covid-19 vaccination program. "You must always apply the 3M Prokes. Wash your hands, wear masks, and always keep your distance. Not only students. Teachers are also required to Prokes," he said.
Bali Reopening
“Bali Is Still Empty of Tourists, Here Is the Explanation” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): It's been almost a week since the Indonesian government opened the door for international arrivals for foreign tourists on October 14. Even so, hotel reservations and tour packages are still quiet. On Wednesday, October 20, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno explained why. “Tourists need more time to prepare travel documents to Indonesia. They are also still waiting for the flight schedule from the airline," he said. Furthermore, Sandiaga explained, not all airlines have reopened their direct flight routes from their country of origin to Bali. “They need to prepare travel documents. Like buying tickets, visas, and so on," said Sandiaga.
Context: The story also includes commentary from hotel association people lamenting the lack of notice and length of quarantine as being significant factors holding back arrivals. This story (Indonesian) noted that European visitors, who have a longer average stay on Bali than those from elsewhere in Asia, may be less resistant to the length of quarantine.
More...
Province: “Bali Prepares to Welcome Tourists as Covid Cases Decline” from Antara
Tabanan: “Bedugul Starts to Get Crowded” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
“The Pandemic Has Changed One Aspect of Bali” from Fodors Travel: A digital nomad is a person who works remotely while traveling, often staying in foreign destinations for longer than the average traveler. Frequently confused with influencers, digital nomads hail from all over the world. I’ve been one for four years. I’ve swapped stories with nomads from India, co-worked with Kenyans and Catalonians, and broke bread with Russians and Americans. The digital nomad community is one in which we share recommendations, comfort each other when in need, and warn each other of dangers. Chiang Mai—a popular digital nomad hub—is a major pipeline for Bali nomads, pumping in nomads who couldn’t handle burning season or those doing visa runs. Bali met all the criteria with its low cost of living, an abundance of beaches, and Instagrammable beauty.
Of Interest
“Earthquake Residents Need Help with Water Tanks and Others” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
“The Story Behind the Origin of the Bali Strait” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
“The Story of Ketut Sulasti, Masseuse on Kuta Beach” from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
How You Can Help Bali
In response to the collapse of the tourism sector in Bali and the resulting economic crisis due to Covid19, tens of thousands of families have found themselves with a greatly reduced income—if any. By the middle of 2020, over 100,000 people on Bali had lost their job. While government support has been limited, Indonesians and foreigners have sprung into action, raising funds and distributing badly needed food and everyday essentials to those most in need.
We've been raising awareness of these efforts, and if you’d like to make a contribution of any kind, you can see a list of some organisations here. Further projects have registered themselves with Bali Solidarity. 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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