October 5, 2021
Bali Airport opens October 14 + PPKM extended to October 18 + Airport reveals some details on arrival process + more
Good morning!
Welcome to The Bali Beat for Tuesday, October 5. If you’re not a subscriber, please sign up here to have this newsletter emailed to your inbox every weekday morning, along with a Sunday evening summary of the past week’s Covid-19 and vaccination data. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!
Please be sure to share The Bali Beat with your friends, family and anyone else in the community by clicking the button below. If you’re on Twitter, you can follow us there @thebalibeat.
*A paid subscription is NOT required to access this newsletter.* If you would like to support our news gathering efforts, please consider making a donation of US$5/month by becoming a contributing subscriber via the link above. If you’d prefer to make a one-time donation — of any amount — 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
“Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport To Reopen October 14” from Tempo: The Indonesian government announced Monday it was set to reopen Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport to international flights starting October 14 with strict rules affecting the international arrivals. “That is as long as it meets the requirements and provisions related to quarantine, testing, and the task force’s preparations,” said Minister Luhut on Monday. The rules will include a screening process to check whether a visitor has booked a hotel for an eight-day quarantine process that is self-funded. Bali will reopen international flights from South Korea, China, Japan, Abu Dhabi, and New Zealand.
Context: While welcome news to many in Bali’s tourism industry, there has not been any clarification regarding which visas will be opened to accompany this announcement. Some nations mentioned still invoke up to a two-week quarantine for fully vaccinated returning travellers. We expect more details to filter in between now and October 14.
“PPKM in Java-Bali Extended by Two Weeks” from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian): The government has again extended the implementation of PPKM in a number of Java-Bali areas running from October 5 to October 18, "In the implementation of the PPKM level for the next two weeks, there are still 20 regencies/cities that remain at level 2, which is dominated by Semarang Raya and Solo Raya, Solo Raya is now entering Level 2," said Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B Pandjaitan on Monday. As for the development of COVID-19 cases during the two weeks of PPKM compared to the previous two weeks, there are a number of improved developments. Although there are still some evaluations from epidemiologists, such as the number of tests that are still not ideal enough.
“Ngurah Rai Airport Prepares PCR Test Chambers for Foreign Tourists” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): "Our utility facilities are ready to allow international flights to be carried out with health protocols that will be determined by the Ministry of Health," said Ngurah Rai’s Stakeholder Relations Manager Taufan Yudhistira on Monday. "We have prepared 20 booths and the capacity of the holding area is 300 passengers," he said. Prospective passengers must prepare the required documents, including an e-visa, e-cd (customs declaration), installing the PeduliLindungi app (if included in the regulation) and filling in the data and have negative results of PCR-based swabs. "At arrival we prepare 10 to 20 computers for passengers to register. Then PCR test and to immigration and customs," he said. If the results are negative, passengers then transfer to their hotel for the 8-day quarantine. If positive with symptoms, they will be picked up and taken to hospital. If they are positive but lack symptoms, they will be escorted to the hotel to self-isolate.
Context: This is the most detailed piece we have seen so far on the prospective passenger flow through Bali’s airport. Also the first mention on an e-visa and that, if a passenger tests positive but lack symptoms, they will be permitted to self quarantine at their hotel rather than be hospitalised.
>> Classifieds <<
Have you always dreamed of visiting another planet? With Mission: Mars — a virtual escape room — now is your chance! You can attempt astronaut selection process and if you’re successful, you’ll join the first manned flight to Mars! As in real life, you’ll need to prove yourself along the way, with interesting challenges and smart, creative puzzles. Mission: Mars is the perfect escape room, best played with family and friends. Get 12% off with this exclusive members-only discount.
Introducing Masterworks, a platform for investing in proven artists like Basquiat, Warhol and Banksy. Contemporary art prices outperformed the S&P 500 by 174% from 1995-2020, so it’s no surprise 84% of ultra-high-net worth individuals collect art. If you’re looking for a solid and nearly uncorrelated asset to add to your portfolio, check out Masterworks. We've partnered with Masterworks to let Petition subscribers skip their 25,000-person waitlist, so do yourself a favor and sign up today. (See important information.)
Business is tough in the best of times, but these days - Wow. Thankfully, there’s a supportive spirit among the people who remain in Bali; this newsletter is proof. If you’ve got a product or service that needs local support to succeed, let this community know about it here.
Other Headlines
“Pandora Papers Mention Government Ministers” from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian): The International Consortium of Investigating Journalists released the Pandora Papers on Sunday. From Indonesia, one of the names in the papers is Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan. The report stated that Luhut had served in one of the shell companies registered in Panama. In response to this, Luhut spokesman Jodi Mahardi confirmed that Luhut had served as the main director of Petrocapital SA from 2007 to 2010. Jodi said that the company was originally planned to be used for business development abroad, especially in Central America and South America. However, along the way, there were various related obstacles such as geographical location, culture, and investment certainty, making Luhut resign from Petrocapital to focus on business in Indonesia.
Context: Another media report named Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto who advised he knows nothing of the two companies the papers allege he owns.
Vaccination Update
“Over 53 Million Receive Second Covid-19 Dose” from Antara: At least 53,006,923 Indonesians have received their second jab of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday, according to data provided by the COVID-19 Response Task Force. The number of fully vaccinated people rose by 330,871 on Monday compared to the day before, according to the latest data from the task force. Meanwhile, the number of Indonesians receiving their first COVID-19 vaccine dose increased by 443,244 to reach 94,223,690 . As per the data, the number of healthcare workers receiving the third or booster dose of COVID-19 rose by 2,239 to 962,619. Overall, Indonesia is seeking to vaccinate 208,265,720 citizens to build herd immunity against the coronavirus under its nationwide vaccination drive.
More...
Nation: “Indonesia’s Vaccination Numbers Rank 5th in World” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Seventeen Kuta Beach Entrances Closed Permanently” from Bali Prawara (Indonesian): In an effort to make it easier to supervise visitors at tourist attractions, the Kuta Traditional Village has closed 17 accesses to the beach area. In addition to facilitating visitor monitoring, closing access will also assist to determine the exact quota of people in the area. This is expected to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19 in these tourist attractions. According to the Bendesa Adat Kuta, I Wayan Wasista, the closure of access to Kuta Beach which has already begun, with 17 out of a total of 28 accesses permanently closed. Meanwhile, three are closed using boards which will later be used for access workers, especially cleaners for the needs of transporting waste.
More...
Nation: “PPKM Outside Java-Bali Extended Till Oct 18” from Antara
Nation: “Form Covid-19 Task Force for Large Events, Event Organizers Told” from Antara
Economy & Infrastructure
“Bali Provincial Government Extends Vehicle Tax Discount” from Republika (Indonesian): The provincial government of Bali has extended the motor vehicle tax discount policy for tax arrears in the local area. The tax discount is implemented from 4 October to 17 December 2021. "This tax discount is given to taxpayers who are tax arrears. Through this policy, taxpayers only need to pay taxes for two years, while tax arrears for the third year and beyond are exempted," said Regional Secretary of Bali Province Dewa Made Indra, on Monday (4/10). This policy will be implemented simultaneously with the two policies that have been implemented previously. First, the free BBNKB II policy starts from September 4 to December 17, 2021. Free BBNKB II is given to taxpayers who will carry out the transfer process from outside Bali.
More...
Nation: “NIK Will Become NPWP” from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Nation: “Vanilla Has Potential to Become a Mainstay Export for NTB” from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Province: “Bali Electricity Consumption Drops During PPKM” from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Education
“Schools With Over 5% Positivity Rate Must Close Temporarily” from Antara: Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has instructed that if the COVID-19 positivity rate in a school reaches more than 5%, face-to-face learning activities (PTM) be temporarily stopped. "The school will be closed for two weeks, while the school board improves the enforcement of the health protocols," he said on Monday. Meanwhile, if the positivity rate in a school is between one to five percent, students in the same class as the patients will be required to conduct self-isolation, the minister said. Meanwhile, other classes with no COVID-19 cases will be allowed to continue with PTM. If the positivity rate is below 1%, only infected students or teachers and their close contacts will be required to undergo self-quarantine, Sadikin said. The government will carry out random surveillance in 10% of schools conducting PTM in one district or city, the minister said. At the schools, the government will take samples from 30 students and three teachers, he said.
Context: The statement by the Minister marks a significant change in policy, as multiple reports in the past have suggests that a school with any confirmed Covid-19 cases whatsoever would be closed temporarily (Indonesian).
Bali Reopening
“Thirty-five Hotels Chosen for Quarantine” from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): Thirty-five hotels in Bali have been chosen to be quarantine locations for tourists. The 35 hotels are located in the Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur, and Ubud areas. The quarantine hotels have 8,074 rooms, of which 70 are to be used as isolation rooms, and 1,528 as quarantine rooms. IGN Rai Suryawijaya, member of the Bali Provincial Government Tourism Development Expert Group, said the number of quarantine hotels would continue to be added as needed. Chairperson of the DPD Indonesian Hotel General Manager Association Bali Yoga Iswara said hotels that become quarantine locations are considered more certain in obtaining income. "The advantage is that this is a business risk issue, some think that quarantine hotels will get a more definite portion of cake, of course if it is a quarantine hotel it cannot accept other guests, so there is no mix of healthy guests with quarantine guests," he said.
Context: That being able to use just 25% of your rooms is appealing to hoteliers is indicative of the financial hardship hotels in Bali have borne through the pandemic. The hotels are yet to be named publicly.
More...
“AirAsia Restarts Jakarta to Bali Flights” from Tempo
“ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangements To Be Agreed Soon” from Bali Express (Indonesian)
>> This Week’s Sponsor <<
Let Urban Compost Bali help you do your bit to get Bali’s landfill under control. See your organic waste transformed into goodness for your garden. Service starts from IDR 50k/month with weekly pickup services across much of South Bali.
Of Interest
“Two Germans Washed Away Then Saved at Pererenan Beach” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
“Trial Begins for Russian Woman Facing 12 Years for Meth” from Tribun 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
About This Newsletter
This newsletter is a product of Outlanders.
Our standards
We only include news items from established media sources.
We do not include op-eds, forecasts, or rumors.
We do not express any opinions about any included news item.
A “Context” note, along with a reference link may be added after an excerpt to include additional information and/or links to further reading on the topic.
Any headline marked with “Indonesian” point to an article in the Indonesian language. We use Google Translate to translate headlines and excerpts into English, then correct any translation errors where the intended meaning is lost or unclear. These changes are kept to a minimum to accurately reflect the source material.
For any questions, comments or tips, please contact us at TheBaliBeat@outlanders.global.