Thursday, February 11
Task Force says foreigners can enter country if they have visa & follow health prokes, does not say whether new visas will be issued + Govt unveils new testing & self-isolation support plan + more!
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Weather & Waves
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
*NOTE: The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has renewed its warning of the potential for severe weather across Bali through February 16 as the country reaches the peak of the rainy season.
Today’s Tides
Surf Outlook
Weather forecast from Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
Tide table from Tide-forecast.com.
Surf outlook via Windy.com.
Local Covid Numbers
*NOTE: Bali's 7-day average for new cases has been hovering around 300 since mid-January, and yesterday's total is consistent with that. Just two months ago we were fretting over 7-day averages of 100+ & the possibility of Christmas-New Year holiday spikes. Deaths continue their monthly record-setting pace (83, tied with September). Nationally, the country has notched its third day in a row of fewer than 10,000 new cases confirmed (8,776), leading to speculation that Indonesia may have finally come off of the peak that was driven by widespread travel during the New Year holiday.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
Ins & Outs
"Foreigners Permitted to Enter Indonesia With Strict Health Protocols" from Bali Plus: Apart from tightening the mobility of domestic travelers, the government has also tightened the implementation of health protocols for international travelers. Spokesperson for the Covid-19 Task Force, Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, explained the difference from the previous rules. The first difference is that foreign citizens (WNA) are allowed to enter Indonesia. “On the condition that they are visa and residence permit holders in accordance with Permenkumham No. 26/2020, permit holders according to the travel corridor arrangement scheme, and foreigners with special considerations or permits in writing from ministries/ agencies,” he explained. Wiku emphasized that the rules governing domestic and international travelers will apply going forward to be determined at a later date. Previously it was always updated every 2 weeks. These new regulations will always be evaluated every 2 weeks and the changes will follow the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The determination of this policy is expected to reduce public confusion regarding the applicable policies.”
"Gov't to Copy India Strategy Using Rapid Antigen Test for Covid-19 Confirmation" from The Jakarta Globe: The government will start using rapid antigen test for tracing the Covid-19 suspects and plan to spend $100 on every person infected by the Sars-CoV2 virus, who had to self-quarantine in their homes, in its latest attempt to control the pandemic, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin told the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The country would follow India's steps, incorporating the antigen test in the Covid-19 testing and tracing program. Indonesia's insistence on using the slow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to confirm a Covid-19 case has cost it a precious few days following the disease onset when it is most infectious. That despite the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a recommendation in November that said antigen test could be used in the confirmation for positive Covid-19 cases.
Hospital Occupancy Update
"Covid Never Slides, This Is Data on Patient Beds in Hospitals in Bali" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Head of the Bali Provincial Health Office, Dr. Ketut Suarjaya, said that currently the room conditions in a number of hospitals in Bali for handling Covid-19 patients have not shown a decline. Based on data received by Radarbali.id yesterday, the Isolation bed room (TT) has been filled with 1,174 TT out of a total capacity of 1,913 TT. "Now it is filled with 61.37%," said Dr. Suarjaya. Meanwhile, 117 ICU TTs were already filled, from a capacity of 166 TTs, or 70.48% of the beds.
More...
Badung: "Nearly 100 Covid-19 patients are Treted at RSD Mangusada" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
>> Classifieds <<
Business is tough in the best of times, but these days- Wow. Thankfully, there’s a supportive spirit among the foreigners 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
"Bali Disdikpora Reevaluates Face-to-face Learning" from Antara (Indonesian): According to Ketut Ngurah Boy Jayawibawa, head of the Bali Provincial Education office (Disdikpora), in the midst of the high number of positive cases of Covid-19 in Bali and also restrictions on gathering activities regulated in the SE Governor of Bali No. 03/2021, of course must be obeyed and implemented for the wider interest. "Never mind face-to-face learning, just go together now is very, very tight," he said. Therefore, the face-to-face learning plan that was originally [scheduled to start] in early March 2021 was re-evaluated to possibly postponed.
Prokes & Patrols
"No longer Free, Logistics Crew Entering Bali Must Have Independent Antigen Test" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Head of the Department of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Jembrana I Made Dwi Maharimbawa said that the travelers entering Bali In accordance with the circular letter of the Governor of Bali 03 of 2021, loyal travelers are required to carry an antigen rapid test certificate. "All are required to bring a negative antigen rapid test certificate, without exception," said Made Dwi Maharimbawa. However, for logistics transport crews there is no longer a free rapid test antigen like before. This means that all logistics transport crews must undergo an independent or paid antigen rapid test. "Regarding the free rapid test there is no longer," he explained.
More...
Badung: "Wearing a Mask Does Not Comply With the Provisions, Seven Offenders Are Rewarded With a Push Up" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Covid Soaring, Giving Up, Buleleng Decides Micro PPKM" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Fishing When PPKM Mikro, 6 Anglers were Acted" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Bali Implements Micro PPKM, Entrepreneurs Ask for the Night Time Limit to Be Loosened" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Covid-19 Cases Soaring, Karangasem Participates in PPKM" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Vaccination Update
"Preparation of the Free Covid-19 Corridor (FCC) Concept in Bali, Tourism Workers Will Be Vaccinated with Covid-19" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian): Regarding vaccinations for tourism workers, when confirmed by Tribun Bali, the Head of the Bali Provincial Health Office, Dr. Ketut Suarjaya said, he would conduct a survey first. data regarding who will be vaccinated, of course, will be adjusted to data from the central government. In which case, this data will be adjusted to the identity card NIK data according to the data from the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPCPEN)," he said. He further said that the Covid Coridor program is included in 70 percent of the total vaccination target in Bali... Outside health workers, the data will be top down, from the center to the regions. This will be determined randomly. However, the mechanism is determined from the center. "Regarding the covid corridor, we from the service will carry out according to target priorities. Which, the first priority of the target, namely health workers, has been carried out. Then continued by public servants such as the TNI, Polri. After that, only the rest, including tourism workers," he concluded.
More...
Nation: "Russia Has Reiterated Its Readiness to Send the Sputnik V Vaccine to Indonesia" from Antara (Indonesian)
Island: "List of Community Groups Targeted for Covid-19 Vaccination Phase Two in Bali, Ojol Included" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian)
Island: "The Udayana Military Command Has Prepared 540 TNI Personnel to Become Vaccinators in Bali" from Antara (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Not Fulfilling the Vaccination Criteria, Health Workers in Buleleng Only Reached 84% in the First Stage" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "City Government Starts Phase II Vaccination Data Collection" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
"Dozens of Prisoners at Singaraja Prison Reactive, Worried Cluster of Prisons Widespread" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): It is feared that the covid-19 spread cluster in Singaraja Prison will continue to expand. The Buleleng Covid-19 Handling Task Force claims to have made tracing efforts there. From the results of the rapid antigen test, dozens were declared reactive. Then they will undergo a swab test. The results of the swab test are expected to be published on Thursday (11/2) today. Secretary of the Buleleng Covid-19 Handling Task Force, Gede Suyasa, said that his party had carried out a rapid antigen test on 219 people in Singaraja Prison. Consists of 158 assisted residents and 61 prison employees. From the results of the rapid test, there were 29 assisted residents and one employee who were declared reactive.
Tourism Figures
"Traffic and Number of Passengers at Padangbai Port Decrease During 2020" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): The volume of ship traffic at the Padangbai - Lembar ferry port in 2020 has decreased by 22.33% compared to the same period last year (year on year / YoY) to 6,309 trips. Apart from ship traffic, the number of passengers going down and departing was also recorded to have decreased by 52.09% YoY and 40.4% YoY, respectively. Head of KSOP Padangbai Ni Luh Putu Eka Suyasmin said the decrease in passenger and ship traffic occurred in all ports under the supervision of KSOP Padang Bai. The Padang Bai KSOP oversees Padang Bai Port, Amed Port, and Tanah Ampo Port. The three ports recorded a decline in passengers each by 50% YoY in 2020. In fact, the port of Amed was observed to be deserted because there were no fast boats operating.
"Clean Water in Denpasar is Ngadat, This Is the City Government's Short-Term Policy" from Bali Express (Indonesian): Deputy Mayor of Denpasar, I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara together with Commission II of the Denpasar City DPRD directly observed the condition of the Belusung Water Treatment Plant (IPA), at Peguyangan Kaja, Wednesday (10/2). The arrival of the public official was related to the disruption in the distribution of Perumda Tirta Sewakadarma water to customers recently. The Denpasar City Government and Commission II of the Denpasar City DPRD revealed that they have designed short and medium term policies to overcome these problems. "For the short term, we have instructed the Board of Directors of Perumda to add water tankers. At first, only 4 tankers have now been added to 10 tanks. So that the water supply needs in the community can be maximized," he said.
"Indonesian Islands Are Not for Sale, Authorities Say, After Online Listings Cause Controversy" from Coconuts: Are some Indonesian islands up for sale? It’s all a hoax, the country’s authorities have confirmed, after recent online listings suggesting exactly that made national headlines. “In Indonesia, a big or small island is part of our sovereignty. There is no way we would sell our sovereignty,” said Teuku Taufiqulhadi, special staff to the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning. More than 17,000 islands are scattered across Indonesia’s sprawling archipelago, around 6,000 of which are reportedly inhabited.
Of Interest
"Extreme Weather Forecast in Indonesian Regions on Feb 10-16: BMKG" from Antara
“Approaching Chinese New Year, No Extra Flight at Ngurah Rai Airport” from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
"Tourist Destination Areas in Klungkung Will Be Installed with Facial Recognition CCTV" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Bali Councilors Scrap US$63,000 Uniform Budget Plan Following Uproar" from Coconuts
"Communication and Informatics Ministry to Block Tiktokcash Site Soon" from Antara
"Mount Raung Volcanic Dust Spreads to West Buleleng" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
"Sales of Chinese Merchandise Fall Due to the Pandemic" from Antara (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 at BaliSolidarity.org. If you know of an effort and would like to have them listed, please send their information to newsletter@migrationmedia.net.
About This Newsletter
This newsletter is a product of Migration Media, the hub for stories from and about the international migrant experience.
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We only include news items from established media sources
We do not share rumors.
We do not include opinion pieces or forecasts.
For all stories marked "Indonesian" I have used Google Translate to convert it from Bahasa. In most cases I try to polish the excerpt and/or write a short summary in proper English to help clarify the details.
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