September 29, 2021
Tourism Office prepares for reopening + Tourism to reduce inequality + Booster shot rollout prepared + more
Good morning!
Welcome to The Bali Beat for Wednesday, September 29. 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 Tourism Office Prepares Integrated SOP for Reopening” from Antara Bali (Indonesian): The Bali Provincial Tourism Office will immediately prepare an integrated guidebook or standard operating procedure (SOP) related to the opening of international tourism for the local area so that it can be carried out with the same standard on all lines. "I and the tourism experts will immediately gather to prepare an integrated SOP in handling tourists so that all components can understand and act with the same standard," said Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office I Putu Astawa on Tuesday. "Later, there will also be a follow-up meeting to discuss other preparations for opening international tourism for Bali," he said. This includes, he said, from the Immigration Office, he was asked to make an official statement through the media regarding the rules for managing visas for tourists who will enter Bali.
“Minister Uno Expects Tourism to Reduce Inequality” from Antara: Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has said he expects the tourism sector to reduce economic inequality, in line with the 2021 World Tourism Day’s theme of "Tourism for Inclusive Growth". “There has been a phenomenon amid the COVID-19 pandemic that the rich have become richer, while the poor have become poorer,” he said on Monday. He said he believes that there is still scope in the tourism and creative economy sectors to generate a lot of business and employment opportunities for Indonesian people in the midst of the pandemic. He said inclusive growth must improve the condition of those who are experiencing various difficulties due to the pandemic, for instance, loss of livelihoods.
“Indonesia Prepares Booster Shot Rollout as Third Wave Looms” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
The government is preparing a scheme to provide free and paid booster shots for the public as the country braces for a potentially devastating third wave. “We will have a more detailed calculation for this program, which is needed as a cushion if there is a third wave,” Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Monday. He said free booster shots would be given to 87.4 million government-subsidized participants and 30 million non-wage recipients scheme participants of the national health insurance program, as well as 4.4 million children aged 12. The state budget, according to Airlangga, would pay for the needed 137.2 million doses of vaccines.
>> Classifieds <<
In a time of social distancing, it’s harder than ever to get your message out and reinforce community. If you’ve got a story to tell or a message that needs to be heard — and if you’re reading this newsletter — then try a classified ad with The Bali Beat. Click here for more details.
School is a luxury for many in the Togean Islands. Togean Natural is working with women from Tumbulawa and Siatu villages to produce hand-made, preservative-free soap and coconut oil. Help empower local women by placing your order today.
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.)
Other Headlines
“Baby Monkeys for Sale in Bali, BKSDA Not Worried as are Abundant” from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian): The Center for Conservation and Natural Resources of Bali admitted that they are not worried about the sale of baby long-tailed monkeys because they are not endangered species. Previously, the Jakarta Animal Aid Network criticized the sale of baby long-tailed monkeys that were still happening at the Satria Bird Market in Denpasar. The head of the Bali BKSDA, R. Agus Budi Santosa, said that the population of long-tailed macaques or gray-tailed macaques is still quite abundant in Indonesia. "Productively breed like humans, there is no competition with other ape species and there are no predatory animals," said Santosa on Monday.
Vaccination Update
“Priority for Disabled People to Get Vaccines” from Antara: Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini has prioritized people with disabilities to receive COVID-19 vaccinations by instructing regional heads to facilitate access for this category to get inoculated. "I also urge all regional heads to help facilitate access for persons with disabilities to get vaccinated. We have sent letters to the heads of the Java and Bali Provincial Social Offices to collect data on prospective vaccination recipients," the minister said on Tuesday. From the coordination between the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Social Offices in Java and Bali, 225,000 people with disabilities in the Java-Bali are targeted to receive the vaccination. Of the total target, data on 112,471 had been collected, comprising data of 106,357 people from Social Offices and 6,114 individuals from Health Offices.
More...
Nation: “Minister Plate Urges Older Adults to Get Vaccinated” from Antara
Nation: “Singapore Gives 122,400 Astrazeneca Doses to Indonesia” from The Straits Times
Jembrana: “Covid-19 Task Force Raids Unvaccinated Residents on Street” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Pedulilindungi to be Accessible in Major Apps” from Tempo: The Indonesian Health Ministry’s chief digital transformation office Setiaji on Monday said PeduliLindungi will soon be able to be accessed in other popular mobile applications such as Gojek, Grab, Tokopedia, Traveloka, Tiket, Dana, Cinema XXI, LinkAja, up to Jakarta’s app Jaki. He claims features that exist in the tracing app will be available in the aforementioned platforms and is planned to be launched next month in October. “It will be launched in October. There are processes where we would need several models able to be accessed by many people,” Setiaji wrote.
More...
Nation: “Luhut Claims Covid Tests OK, Epidemiologists Don't Think is Ideal” from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian)
Province: “Government Allows Music for Concerts and Wedding Receptions” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Smesco Prepares Eastern Indonesian MSME Export Hub in Bali” from Antara Bali (Indonesian): Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, Teten Masduki, said that Smesco Indonesia is preparing an export hub for MSME products from eastern Indonesia in Bali. "In Bali, Smesco is preparing an export hub for MSME products from eastern Indonesia," said Teten Masduki on Tuesday. According to the Coordinating Minister for SMEs, currently the world's demand is high for herbal products such as essential oils and marine-based products. This can be a kind of showcase of how the MSME model goes global. "Now even MSMEs that do not have export permits can export retail, considering that we have cooperated with shipping service companies so that they can remain efficient," said Teten. He added that the Kemenkop UKM would take advantage of upcoming important events such as MotoGP, G20 in Indonesia to promote Indonesian SMEs.
More...
Nation: “Indonesia’s Economy Will Grow by 3.7%” from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Nation: “Tourism Sector Targeted to Earn Up to USD 1.7 Billion by 2021” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Province: “Governor Koster Issues SE on Traditional Salt Product Use” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Badung: “Regulations Loosening but Badung Malls Reach Only 25% Capacity” from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: “Coffee Farmers Constrained by Marketing” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: “Residents Want Certainty Regarding New Airport Location” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Karangasem: “Karangasem Hotel Occupancy Rate Below 10%” from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Education
“Schools Can't Force Parents Who Don't Agree” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): The face-to-face learning (PTM) policy is predicted to start in early October. Head of the Bali Provincial Education Office, KN. Boy Jayawibawa said face-to-face learning would pay attention to the health and safety of students. "So this is the first time it has been implemented. The canteen is still closed, we are still relaxing for outdoor activities such as sports and the introduction of the school system. The technical assistance has been given to all school agencies," he said. After all is fulfilled such as supporting infrastructure, curriculum, and finally the parents' decision. "This is mandatory and absolute. If parents are not comfortable, they are still in doubt, they can't force it at all," he said. Therefore, Boy reminded the school not to be impressed by forcing parents who have not approved their children for face-to-face learning.
Bali Reopening
“Bali Government Targets Tourists From Four Countries” from Kompas (Indonesian): The door of Bali tourism for foreign tourists is planned to be opened in October 2021. The Bali Provincial Government continues to make a number of preparations including targeting a number of countries targeted to visit Bali. “We have recorded several countries based on length of stay in Bali. There are about four countries, namely America, Britain, Germany and Russia, which on average stay in Bali for two weeks," said Deputy Governor of Bali Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati alias Cok Ace on Monday. According to Cok Ace, tourism actors have also prepared themselves well if Bali tourism is opened to foreign tourists. To date, more than 2,000 hotels, restaurants and tourism destinations have received a certificate of cleanliness, health safety and environment sustainability (CHSE) from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.
Context: This is similar to a story from Monday (Indonesian), though in that case Argentina rather than the USA was mentioned—a miss-quote perhaps. It is worth noting that Minister Luhut highlighted the USA as being a “high risk” country on Tuesday (Indonesian). Towards the end of this Tempo story (Indonesian), Minister Sandiaga flags charter flights as being one of the options being considered.
More ...
“Opportunities for Economic Recovery of Bali and Yogyakarta Tourism” from Kompas (Indonesian)
“Consul General of China Encourages Chinese Tourists to Post-pandemic Indonesia” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
“Tourists Start Diving at Liberty Beach” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
>> This Week’s Sponsor <<
Plant-based, chemical free & made of natural ingredients, look after yourself from head to toe with DeHealth products. Our Mother vinegar is loaded with probiotics & can strengthen your immune system. Step towards better health today.
Of Interest
“Unattended Child Tries to Open Door on Citilink Flight, Forces Emergency Landing” from Coconuts Jakarta
“Bringing 48 Kg of Explosives for Fish Bombs, Passengers Seized” from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
“10,000 Dogs in Bali Not Vaccinated Against Rabies” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“List of Foreigners Deported from Bali in September, Here's Why” from IDN Times 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.