September 7, 2021
Bali stays at PPKM Level 4 + Worldwide Covid19 control a factor in re-opening + Bali to trial re-opening malls, with conditions + 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.
Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
*Note: The provincial government did not release its infographic by press time.
The Big News
“Bali Stays at PPKM Level 4” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): That Bali’s PPKM status was extended for another week was confirmed by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Panjaitan on Monday. Luhut stated that Bali is estimated to take another week to drop to level 3 due to high patient care in hospitals. "I have communicated to the Governor of Bali last night for us to work together to solve this problem," said Luhut. Previously, business actors, especially tourism, hoped that PPKM could be lowered so that they could resume operating businesses or tourism attractions which were prohibited from operating at PPKM Level 4.
“Worldwide Control of Covid a Factor in Bali re-opening” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): Responding to suggestions that Bali could be used as an entry point for international flight passengers and isolation, the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said he would consider it. "We will consider and study it first. As I have often said before, the reopening of international flights depends on the number of COVID-19 cases," said Sandiaga Uno on Monday. "Hopefully Bali in particular and Indonesia in general can achieve herd immunity soon," he added. In addition, there are other preconditions that must be considered in reactivating Bali, such as the readiness of safe travel routes, as well as end-to-end CHSE certification, and the control of COVID-19 cases not only in Bali but also globally. If these preconditions can be met, then it is possible that Bali can open international flights.
Context: This is the first time we’ve seen the international control of Covid tied to Bali re-opening. Previous comments by the Minister have sought to create benchmarks around domestic control of the virus—not international. Meanwhile, also on Monday, the Bali Tourism Office is more optimistic of an earlier re-opening.
“Bali to Trial Re-opening Malls, with Conditions” from Bali Post (Indonesian): Bali is allowed to conduct trials of opening malls, shopping centers and trade centers. It is stated that the regencies/cities in Bali, namely Jembrana, Badung, Tabanan, Gianyar, Bangli, Karangasem, Klungkung, Buleleng, and Denpasar can conduct re-opening trials. Trade is allowed to operate at 50% from 10:00 to 21:00 local time with health protocols regulated by the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Health. In addition, it is mandatory to use the PeduliLindungi application to screen all visitors and employees. Even though they are allowed to open, restaurants and cafes within shopping centers and malls may only accept delivery or takeaway and cannot accept dine-in. In addition, residents under the age of 12 years and above 70 years are prohibited from entering. Cinemas, children's playgrounds and entertainment venues remain closed.
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Other Headlines
“Cok Ace: Many Foreigners in Bali Party Through Pandemic” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Deputy Governor of Bali Prof. Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati admitted that he often received reports from the Bali Provincial Satpol PP regarding recalcitrant behavior of foreigners in Bali. Acts of stubborn foreigners include refusing to obey health protocols, such as not wearing masks in public places and even holding events in closed rooms without masks. In an audience with Jamaruli Manihuruk of the Regional Office of the Bali Ministry of Law and Human Rights on Monday he said there were still many foreigners who violated the prokes in Bali. According to him, the Bali Province Satpol PP has taken actions in the form of administrative sanctions. "But of course this is not enough, we also take tougher actions, such as deportation," he said.
Vaccination Update
“Indonesia Receives Five Million Sinovac Doses” from Antara: Five million doses of Sinovac arrived at Soekarno Hatta International Airport on Monday. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that the number of Sinovac vaccines Indonesia has received reached 33 million doses and 153.9 million doses in bulk. This figure is calculated based on the first arrival of COVID-19 vaccines 10 months ago, thereby being the 50th batch received, he added. "Citizens do not need to hesitate or worry about receiving vaccinations since all of the vaccine brands are effective. They do not need to be picky. The best vaccines are the ones that are available now," Hartarto said.
More...
Nation: “Indonesia Ranks 6th in COVID-19 Vaccination Rates” from Antara
Nation: “House Speaker Emphasizes Vaccine Equity” from Antara
Nation: “Herd Immunity Via Mass Vaccination Achievable” from Antara
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Despite Closure Due to PPKM, Legian Beach is Busy” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Badung Regency is still at PPKM level 4, but on Sunday, Legian Beach was busy. Not only crowded with traders, but also with foreign and domestic tourists. The Head of the Badung Civil Service Police Unit I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara did not deny this. According to him, such a phenomenon has often occurred in the last few days. "It's true (a lot of people). However, we have immediately followed up through supervision with related agencies. We remind them to remain disciplined in wearing masks and avoid crowding,” he said. "We hope that the village will participate in overseeing this PPKM policy, and not allow violations," he said.
More...
Province: “Hospitals Unhappy About Rise in Covid-19 Medical Waste Transport Rates” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: “Police Confiscate Coconut Shell Masks” from Kumparan (Indonesian)
Tabanan: “Dispar Ensures Tabanan Hasn't Opened Tourist Attractions” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
“Bali to Spend IDR 12,167 Trillion on Infrastructure” from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): Bali Governor Wayan Koster explained that the infrastructure projects being pushed at the moment are the Protection of the Sacred Area of Pura Agung Besakih, the Bali Cultural Center Area in Klungkung, and the Singaraja to Mengwitani shortcut road. There is also the Sanur Triangle Port in Denpasar, Sampalan Port in Nusa Penida, Bias Munjul Port in Nusa Ceningan, the development of Benoa Harbor, and the development of the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium. The total budget needed for the construction of these infrastructure projects reaches Rp. 12.16 trillion. "The development budget is allocated from 2019 to 2023," he said on Sunday.
More...
Nation: “Indonesia Sees Fintech Boom Amid COVID-19” from Channel News Asia
Nation: “Tourism Ministry Readies Assistance for Health & Tourism Workers” from Antara
Nation: “Human Resources Key to Labuan Bajo's Tourism Growth” from Antara
Bali Reopening
“Tourism Needs a Schedule For Reopening Announced” from Bali Post (Indonesian): According to the Head of the Bali Tourism Office, I Putu Astawa, industry players are currently in a slump. He hopes that a trial will be conducted to open Bali to foreign tourists. According to him, Bali has strictly implemented health protocols. “It's time for a trial, maybe we should limit it to 1,000 people, whatever country," said Astawa. The opening of international borders, he said, needs to be confirmed, because the business world needs certainty and to be able to prepare ahead of time. Astawa said many wedding packages did not dare accept bookings because there was no certainty about the opening of the border. "There needs to be a planning scenario for the open border to be announced at least 30 days beforehand," he said.
“Menparekraf Eyes Health and Herbal Tourism” from Antara Bali (Indonesian): Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said his party would develop a health tourism program as well as fitness and herbal tourism because it has a large market share. "Nusantara tourists almost every year spend more than US$11 billion on health tours abroad," said Sandiaga Uno on Monday. Jakarta, Medan and Bali will be promoted as health tourism destinations at an early stage and will be expanded to other destinations, he said. As for fitness and herbal tourism, the public's enthusiasm for the program is very high, especially in Bali, he said. "Many foreign tourists have come to Bali to do fitness-based tourism and herbal tourism, especially regarding aesthetics and cosmetics. For this reason, human resources must be improved through reskilling and upskilling to provide even higher standard services," he said.
“eHAC Data Leak Still Under Investigation” from Antara: The investigation into the alleged data leak through the Electronic Health Alert Card (eHAC) system is still on. "It is still ongoing, in the process of being investigated," head of public relations for National Police, Inspector General Argo Yuwono said on Monday. Head of the Indonesian Ministry of Health's Data and Information Center, Anas Ma'ruf, had earlier stressed that data contained in the Electronic Health Alert Card (eHAC) system had not leaked and was protected. "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, in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning electronic information or the ITE Law," Ma'ruf said on September 1.
Of Interest
“Indonesia's Illiteracy Rate Drops to 1.71% in 2020” from Antara
“NTT Woman Found Dead in North Kuta Villa” from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
“Body Found on Batu Belig Beach a Suicide Victim” from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
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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