Thursday, February 4
Head of Bali Health "worried" as 69% of hospital beds & 84% of ICU beds full + Badung Police vow increased focus on foreigners not wearing masks, will enlist help of embassies & consulates + more!
Good morning! Welcome to The Bali Beat for Thursday, February 4. If you’re not a subscriber, sign up here to get this update delivered directly to your Inbox every Monday-Friday morning, along with each evening’s Covid-19 update. If you are already a subscriber, thank you! Please be sure to share it with others in the island community by clicking the button below.
I happily put this newsletter together Monday through Friday as a public service, and it will be free so long as the current emergency lasts. *A paid subscription is NOT required to access this content.* However, if you would like to support my work, please consider making a donation of US$5/month by becoming a contributing subscriber at the link above. Or if you prefer to make a one-time donation - in any amount - click here.
Weather & Waves
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
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: Yesterday's new case numbers ticked downward again, and the 7-day average (299) curve is definitely bending. Deaths are holding steady, however so the running 7-day fatality total (46) is barely inching lower. Also, yesterday broke a 4-day streak of more recoveries than new cases, with the number of people currently in treatment edging back up towards the 3,500 mark putting ever more strain on the island’s hospitals (see below). Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"Foreigners Dominate Prokes Violations in Canggu" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): There are still many violations of health protocols (prokes) by foreign citizens (foreigners) requiring the involvement of the consulate and embassy to explain to their citizens regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. Badung Police Chief AKBP Roby Septiadi said he would pay attention to the areas of North Kuta and Mengwi districts because they contributed to the high number of Covid-19 cases for the Badung Police jurisdiction. He said that up to the second PPKM implementation there had not been any significant reduction in the Badung area. The highest number of Covid-19 cases for the Badung Police jurisdiction is in North Kuta and Mengwi Districts. The increase originating from this family cluster was suspected due to activities outside the home, such as markets, places of worship and workplaces. In addition, violations of prokes in the Badung area were dominated by foreign nationals, especially the Canggu area as a tourist spot that is often found. He emphasized that he would still take firm action regardless of the background of his citizens.
As for the number of personnel deployed in the Justisi operation so far as many as 195 people from the Badung Police. Previously, based on data collected by Satpol PP Badung, Bali, for PPKM I for the period 11 to 25 January 2021, there were 833 violations recorded. Starting from the category of not wearing a mask, not using a mask properly and not implementing health protocols. For the number of offenders who did not wear masks, 163 were foreigners and 22 were Indonesian citizens. With the amount of fines that have been paid amounting to Rp. 18.5 million. Furthermore, at PPKM II in the period 26 January to 8 February 2021 that were still ongoing, there were 93 people. For the number of offenders who did not wear masks, 69 were foreigners and 12 were Indonesians. With a fine of IDR 8.1 million.
"Badung Will Hold Pilkades Simultaneously With the Implementation of the Prokes" from Antara (Indonesian): Badung Regency, Bali, will hold simultaneous village head elections (Pilkades) in 2021 in 34 villages with the implementation of health protocols (prokes) for the prevention of the COVOD-19 pandemic during the Restriction of Community Activities (PPKM). "It takes commitment and joint efforts to enforce strict prokes rules at every stage of the Pilkades which will be held on February 7 and to maintain conduciveness in every village," Deputy Regent of Badung I Ketut Suiasa said. He said, to avoid the crowd that occurred during voting, his party had prepared 411 polling stations with a maximum number of voters at each TPS of 500 people.
Hospital Capacity Update
"Active Cases of Covid-19 Reach 3,479, Bali Worries that Hospitals are Nearly Full" from Kompas (Indonesian): The number of active cases has resulted in an almost full isolation area and ICU for Covid-19 patients. Head of the Bali Health Service Ketut Suarjaya said he was worried about this condition because the Covid-19 referral hospital was in full danger. He said, the bed occupancy ratio (BOR) or the use of isolation beds has reached 69% throughout Bali. Meanwhile, the BOR for ICU beds is 84%. "The condition of hospitals in Bali is almost full of Covid patients. This is worrying," said Suarjaya.
More...
Island: "COVID-19 Patients in Bali Booming, Hospital Occupancy Rate is Worrying" from Kumparan (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Buleleng Asks for Self-quarantine Facilities, the Task Force Reveals This Reason"from Radar Bali (Indonesian):
>> Classifieds <<
Wherever you are in your expat journey - just arrived, long-timer, or still in the planning phase - The Bittersweet Life podcast will keep you in good company. Listen in for weekly conversation on the joys and challenges of the expat life. [LINK]
If you’re reading this newsletter then you care about Bali and what happens here. If you’ve got a product or message that you want other people on the island who are like you to know about, you can place a classified ad in this space to spread the word. Click here to learn more.
Other Headlines
"Covid-19 Cases are Increasing, Bangli Limits Marriage and Ngaben" from The Bali Post (Indonesian): According to Bangli Regent I Made Gianyar, now marriage will be limited. "If there is a reception, there are invitations, earlier it was agreed with the MDA (customary village assembly) as well, there is no need to legalize the marriage," said Gianyar. Likewise with the Ngaben ceremony. The Task Force cannot prohibit the public from doing so. However, so that the implementation of Ngaben does not create new clusters, it must be carried out with strict prokes. The number of attendees is limited to 25 people. The regent also revealed that that he will activate the Markey Task Force. Later, in the market an antigen test sampling will be carried out. Hospital visits were also strictly restricted. Only one patient's family is allowed to enter.
Prokes & Patrols
Nation: "Jokowi Orders Micro-level Imposition of Public Activity Restriction" from Antara
Island: "During Last Week of PPKM, Offices or Work Areas Become the Focus of Disciplinary Targets in Bali" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian)
Badung: "Because of Many Prokes Violations, North Kuta Bali Has Special Restrictions" from The IDN Times (Indonesian)
Badung: "Wear a Mask Under the Chin, Push-up Residents" from radar Bali (Indonesian)
Bangli: "See the Implementation of Prokes during Pagerwesi, Kapolres and Dandim 1626 Visiting Several Temples in Bangli" from Bali Puspa news (Indonesian)
Buleleng: Rapid Tests at Jagatnatha Temple, the Task Force Asked for Them to be Done outside the Temple Area" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Supervision of Health Protocols at Pura" from Antara (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Breaking Operational Hours, Billiards Place in Batubulan Village is Closed" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
"President Jokowi Will Issue the Inpres "Tracing" Covid-19" from Antara (Indonesian): President Joko Widodo will issue a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) to digitally expand the "tracing" of COVID-19. "Regarding digital 'tracing,' namely the 'Care to Protect' program, the President will prepare a Presidential Instruction so that the 'Care to Protect' program can be used to effectively control those who are exposed," said Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto. "The Presidential Instruction is issued so that they can 'trace' potential infections and from the Ministry of Health will add officers who will conduct 'tracing' in the field which will involve Babinsa and Babinkamtibmas."
Vaccination Update
"Low Achievement, Tomorrow Bali Mass Vaccination for Health Workers" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): The Daily Chair of the Bali Province COVID-19 Task Force, Dewa Made Indra said, "Let the health workers (Nakes) Bali be embarrassed (enthusiastic). Because our vaccination outcomes are low. Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase." Head of the Bali Provincial Health Office, Dr. Ketut Suarjaya, conveyed the plan to implement mass vaccination on February 4, 2021. He revealed, in Bali there are 120 health centers, so if the vaccination for health workers per day is 50 people, the number of health workers who have received the vaccine will be large. Because of that he appealed to accelerate the implementation of mass vaccination for health workers.
More...
Nation: "Indonesia to Get AstraZeneca Vaccine via Covax by End-March" from The Jakarta Globe
Jembrana: "Tomorrow, Jembrana Targets Complete Vaccination of First Dose of Nakes" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
"Train Travelers May Take Covid Breathalyzer Test: Minister" from Antara: Passengers at two railways stations — Pasar Senen Station in Jakarta and Yogyakarta Tugu Station — will be screened for coronavirus using the GeNose C19 device, an artificial intelligence-based breathalyzer test, starting February 5, 2021. To take the tests, passengers will have to meet certain requirements: they would have to refrain from smoking, eating, and drinking any beverage aside from mineral water, 30 minutes prior to the procedure. They will also require to have valid tickets and be in a fit condition. The test will be mandatory for those undertaking long-distance travel from Pasar Senen and Tugu Yogyakarta stations. Negative test results will be valid for three days from the print-out date, and should the test come back positive, passengers will not be allowed to board their train.
"Traffic Declines By 70% Per Day, Bali Mandara Toll Management Performs Efficiency In Several Areas" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian): President Director of PT Jasamarga Bali Tol, I Ketut Adiputra Karang said that the revenue and traffic volume on the Bali Mandara Toll Road, depend on Bali tourism. "In 2020, the traffic volume on the Bali Mandara Toll Road will decrease by an average of 70% per day," said Adi. On normal days before the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia, per day the flow of traffic passing the Bali Mandara Toll Road reached 40-45,000 vehicles. After the existence of corona, it decreased to an average of 9-12,000 vehicles per day.
"Citizen's Interest in Blood Donation Decreased, Stock Still Safe" from Bali Express (Indonesian): The pandemic that has been going on since a year ago, has also affected the availability of blood stocks in Jembrana. In fact, after the Corona virus spread to Jembrana, public interest in blood donations has decreased. According to Managing Director of the Blood Transfusion Unit (UTD) Jembrana Regency, Dr. A. A Ngurah Made Avatara Sadhaka, one of the reasons for the decline in blood donors was due to restrictions on activities outside the home since the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, the disrupted blood donation activity resulted in a decrease in blood stock in the Blood Transfusion Unit. "Blood stock had dropped, but not to a shortage. Demand for blood transfusions can still be served,” he explained.
Of Interest
"LGBT Community Finds Bali ‘Somewhat Friendlier’. With Conditions." from The Jakarta Post
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.
Our standards
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.
For any questions, comments or tips, please contact us at newsletter@migrationmedia.net.