September 2, 2021
Bali hotel occupancy at all time low amid Level 3 PPKM + Indonesia tops 100 million Covid jabs + Health Ministry says eHac data did not leak + More
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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.
Local Covid Numbers
*Note: As at the time of press the Covid Taskforce had not released the English version of their infographic. The Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers is also yet to be published and is apparently being reworked into a new format.
The Big News
“Bali Hotel Occupancy at All Time Low Amid Level 3 PPKM” from Tempo: The Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said Tuesday said Bali’s average hotel occupancy remains at its lowest level, at 10% from July to August this year, despite loosened PPKM. “This drop in hotel occupancy from July to August resembles the region’s lowest occupancy of March to July 2020 at 10%,” he said. Tourist destinations other than Bali are also suffering from significant contraction with average hotel occupancies at 15%. He made it clear that the creative economy sector’s growth has been deeply affected by the PPKM restriction that have been imposed for the past two months. Bali remains under PPKM Level 4 but based on the Covid-19 transmission rate will likely see a reduced restriction in the future.
Context: Media reports suggest Bali will need to wait two weeks to see its PPKM Level reduced to 3.
“Indonesia Tops 100 Million Covid Vaccine Jabs” from The Jakarta Globe: Indonesia has administered more than 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine since the campaign began in mid-January, according to Health Ministry data released Wednesday. Of the 208 million target population, 64.2 million have received a dose of the vaccine and 36.5 million are fully vaccinated. That brings the total number of doses administered to 100.7 million. The total amount includes more than 653,000 booster doses for health workers. The country will need at least 416 million doses to fully vaccinate the entire target population. The vaccination drive also targets younger people between 12 and 17, totalling 26.7 million people. Of this population group, 6.7% have been fully vaccinated. Jakarta has the highest rate of vaccination with nearly 69% of the target population fully vaccinated, followed by Bali with 54%. Other provinces like Central and West Java, Banten, North Sumatra and East Kalimantan have vaccination rates below the national average of 17%.
”Health Ministry Says eHac Data Did Not Leak“ from Bali Post (Indonesian): The head of the Indonesian Ministry of Health's Data and Information Center Anas Ma’ruf said that public data contained in the Electronic Health Alert Card (eHAC) system was not leaked. ”Community data contained in eHAC does not flow to partner platforms. Meanwhile, community data on partner platforms is the responsibility of the electronic system operator,” said Anas on Wednesday. Anas said the Ministry of Health was grateful for the input from those who provided information on the existence of vulnerabilities so that they could be followed up to avoid greater cybersecurity risks. As part of mitigating cyber security risks, the Ministry of Health coordinated with the Ministry of Communication and Information, BSSN as well as the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the National Police to investigate and ensure there are no other vulnerabilities.
Context: VPNMentor, the security firm which discovered the data leak wrote in their report that after discovering the flaw on July 15, they advised the Ministry of Health of the problem on July 21 and July 26 but no response was received. BSSN was advised on August 22 and the server was taken offline on August 24.
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Other Headlines
“Drone Deliveries in Sulawesi Provide Lifeline For Isolating COVID Patients” from Reuters: A group of drone enthusiasts in Sulawesi are using their aerial skills to help during the pandemic by providing a contactless medicine and food delivery service to COVID-19 patients isolating at home. Armed with five drones, the seven-member team have been working around the clock in Makassar since early July to provide deliveries. Hartati, who along with her family, has been self-isolating since she tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-August, welcomed the service. “I think the medicine received from a drone is more sterile,” said the 50-year-old housewife, noting how the system avoided the need for any direct contact when receiving goods. The family of four is living in an area where up to 80% of residents are COVID-19 positive. During the peak of the latest outbreak in July, they made up to 25 rounds of deliveries a day.
Vaccination Update
“Indonesia Receives 583,400 AstraZeneca Vaccines” from Antara: A total of 583,400 COVID-19 vaccines made by AstraZeneca arrived in Indonesia on Wednesday in the form of finished products, an official at the Health Ministry said. The vaccine received on Wednesday were part of the 46th vaccine batch to arrive in Indonesia. The ministry also reported that just one out of the 34 provinces in Indonesia will see its vaccine stock run out in less than ten days. "We are aware of the condition. The additional vaccine doses will be delivered soon," the spokesperson said.
More...
Bangli: “Police Target Isolated Residents For Vaccination” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: “Vaccination of Disabled People Targets Villages” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Lower Tariff Set For Antigen Tests in Java – Bali” from iNews Bali (Indonesian): The government has lowered the tariff for rapid antigen tests in the Java-Bali region. The highest tariff set is at IDR 99,000. Meanwhile, the tariff for rapid antigen tests outside Java-Bali is IDR 109,000. Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health Abdul Kadir said on Wednesday that the reason for lowering the tariff was that many antigen devices are produced domestically. "Thank God, so many antigens have been produced domestically," he said. He added that the Ministry of Health does not differentiate the price of domestic and foreign antigens.
More...
Province: “Health Ministry: Bali Takes 2 Weeks to Go Down to PPKM Level 3” from Detik (Indonesian)
Badung: “BOR at Mangusada Hospital Stabilizes” from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Denpasar: “Police Check 185 Vehicles Entering Denpasar” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Gianyar: “Officials Prohibited From Accepting Covid-19 Incentives” from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Gianyar: “Central Isolation Lowers Hospital BOR in Gianyar” from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: “240 Police Patrol the Beach on Pagerwesi Day” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Local Entrepreneurs Close Hotels in Denpasar” from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): In total, there are 551 accommodation businesses in Denpasar, consisting of 49 star hotels, 316 non-star hotels, 90 tourist lodges, and 96 villas. The head of the Denpasar Tourism Office, A. Dezire Mulyani, said of 16 closed accommodation businesses, most were owned by local entrepreneurs. According to him, it is unlikely that the purchased hotel will be converted into other accommodation. "Entrepreneurs have a mature business plan before buying a hotel. Because the physical form and supporting facilities are ready, it's just a matter of activation," he said. A tourism observer from Udayana University, I Nyoman Sunarta said "It's like the market doesn't believe in the pandemic conditions in Bali, continues to take asset sale policies."
Context: While other media outlets have covered hotel closures in Denpasar, the above is noteworthy for the more positive take on the closures.
More...
Nation: “With Drought Threatening, BNPB Asks Local Government to Prepare” from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: “Solar Pilot Scheme Held Back by Costs and Other Challenges” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Denpasar: “LPD Lacks Budget to Audit Branches Impacted by Covid-19” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: “Singaraja-Mengwi Megaproject Continues” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Education
Province: “Parents: Children Are Tired of Distance Learning” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: “With 98% of Students Vaccinated, Klungkung Ready for Face to Face Learning” from Republika (Indonesian)
“Buleleng Resident Files Report Against Local Military Unit” from Coconuts Bali: The residents of a village in Buleleng have reportedly filed a complaint to the Military Police, after the failure to reach a peaceful agreement following an incident where uniformed military officers assaulted civilians. A video of the August 24 incident showed officers ganging up on two civilians. The Military District Commander in Buleleng previously said the viral clip didn’t tell the whole story and that the recorded violence was an act of defense. However, a Sidetapa resident has since told his side of the story, explaining that he wasn’t resisting when the abuse took place. With two versions of the events now on the table, the military have moved to press charges while the residents of Sidetapa have filed a complaint with the Military Police.
“Team Monitors Market Spillover During PPKM” from Antara Bali (Indonesian): Denpasar City Civil Service Police Unit Head, I Dewa Gede Anom Sayoga said Wednesday that during the PPKM implementation, the presence of market spillover became a focus of attention because many people shopped at the market, resulting in crowds. He said that monitoring of spilled markets was carried out because many were found not wearing masks and violating health procedures. Dewa Sayoga said the targeted markets were Tumpah Pula Kerthi Market, Gunung Kawi Market, Tumpah Market and the market on Jalan Rijasa. "Prokes is the main key and very effective in suppressing the spread of COVID-19. In addition, we hope that all people follow and implement prokes," he said.
Of Interest
“Subak Kerdung Maintains Agricultural Heritage Denpasar City” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
“Bangli Hopes to Hold Kintamani Dog Contest in October” from Bali Express (Indonesian)
“German Citizen Convicted in Narcotics Case Awaits Deportation” from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
“Turkish Skimming Duo Face Seven Years” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“Nigerian Fugitive May Be Using Pseudonym” from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
“Stressed Russian Detained by Immigration” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“A Local's Guide to Bali” from Conde Nast Traveller
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 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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