Thursday, July 16
Free visas can now be extended by switching to a different type + Buleleng to require isolation of suspected asymptomatic cases in hospitals + Govt developing app to track all foreigners + more!
Good morning! Welcome to the COVID-19 Update for Bali for Thursday, July 16. Please subscribe and share it with others in the foreigner community on the island. I happily put this daily newsletter together 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.* When signing up, select the "None" option and you'll get it delivered to your Inbox each day. If you would like to support my work, please consider making a voluntary contribution of US$5/month. Supporters receive an early update on the government’s daily infection & recovery numbers each night within an hour or so of their announcement… plus my enduring gratitude!
Status Update
National Numbers:
Bali Numbers:
Regency Numbers:
Confirmed Cases Distribution:
Key: Red = Infected | Green = Recovered | Black = Died
30-Day Trends:
More details on the locations of positive cases within each Regency, as well as the number of suspected cases ("ODP") and people under in-patient observation ("PDP"), can be found in charts & infographics on the websites of each Regency's Covid-19 Task Force:
Badung | Bangli | Buleleng | Denpasar City | Gianyar | Jembrana | Karangasem | Klungkung | Tabanan
Sources:
The national update comes from the Indonesia National Disaster Management Agency: @BNPB_Indonesia
The Bali Numbers infographic comes from the Bali Provincial Government COVID-19 Task Force (link).
The Confirmed Cases Distribution map & Regency Numbers figures come from the Bali Provincial Government's data collection department (link).
NOTE: While the national government includes daily testing totals in its infographic, Bali’s provincial government does not routinely release this data, so it is not included.
The Big News
IMMIGRATION NOTE: The Directorate of Immigration has updated their website with the list of visa types that can be extended. You can find it here- scroll down halfway to the heading "Foreign nationals still residing in Indonesia due to suspending departure and ITAS & ITAP holders overseas". If you reside in Badung Regency, from the southern end of the island up to North Kuta, you need to make an appointment with the Immigration office in the Airport before you go in. You can make your appointment here.
"About 7,000 Foreigners Still in Bali, Ministry of Law and Human Rights to Immediately Take Care of Free Visas" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian): The Directorate General of Immigration is re-adjusting the granting of residence permit services to foreigners to support economic sustainability and public welfare. "The latest circular issued is related to the presence of foreigners in Indonesia. Indeed, it was stated that the extension was limited to residence permits and visit permits that had previously been issued. But there is also a visa-free visit, which has been explained as not being able to be extended. But foreigners can apply for a telex visa," explained the Head of the Bali Province Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Jamaruli Manihuruk. Foreigners in Bali are advised to immediately arrange a telex visa if they still want to live here... "Previously it was free but with the current one having to pay and the telex visa must also be taken care of in Jakarta. But it can also be taken care of online but is assisted by a third party or sponsor. Later they can use hotel sponsors or travel service bureaus. Because the telex visa is for those who work, but this time even those who are visa-free can get the telex visa," he said. (Ed. Note: As with all articles printed in Bahasa, I have run this copy through Google Translate before posting it here, so it is highly recommended that you contact a visa agent for clarification/confirmation/assistance.)
"As Rate of Positive Results for OTG Continues to Increase, Buleleng to Isolate Positive OTG in Hospitals" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Cases of People without Symptoms (OTG) who have confirmed positive covid-19 continue to experience additions. As of Tuesday, Buleleng's Covid-19 Task Force recorded 91 people as OTG who confirmed to be positive. In accordance with the health protocols, patients who are declared as OTG do not have to undergo isolation in the hospital, but can undergo isolation at home with close supervision from the medical team and task force. The Task Force has chosen to override that option. Isolation of OTG patients will take place in hospitals. It is considered more effective and facilitated supervision.
"Indonesia Starts School Year With Caution During Pandemic" from The Jakarta Post: Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim allowed 104 regencies and cities considered to be “green zones” across the country to reopen junior and senior high schools on July 13, which also marked the start of the new school year. However, elementary school students are still required to study from home until further notice. Amid Monday’s reopenings, some other regions remained cautious, with students told to continue studying from home because of health and safety concerns... Separately, national COVID-19 task force chief Doni Monardo said the government had considered allowing schools in “yellow zones” to reopen because of high public demand. “We are reviewing several public requests to allow [students] in yellow zones to go back to school,” Doni said.
Other Headlines
"Bali Tourism Open Phase I, Young People: Better Turn Off the Virus First" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): Since the implementation of the new normal Phase I, several tourist destination locations in Badung Regency have been visited by people and a number of foreign tourists who are still in Bali. According to IDN Times, the most visited destinations are beaches, including Melasti Beach, Kuta Beach, Doble Six Beach, Batu Belig Beach, Berawa Beach, and several other beaches... According to Deputy Regent of Badung I Ketut Suustom, the current "New Normal" policy in Badung is not permanent. However, this policy will become permanent if the community runs the COVID-19 health protocol and positive cases continue to decline. "If a wave occurs, the growth of positive cases in our region or in certain regions. "Of course, we will set back, we must take steps including quarantining the community and so on and limiting community activities again," he explained recently.
"Immigration Office Awaits Approval to Track Foreigners" from Indonesian Expat: In a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission (DPR) on Tuesday, Jhoni Ginting disclosed that Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights is developing a surveillance system to track foreigners travelling to Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was revealed that the system is being developed through the Quick Response (QR) application... The surveillance system will use a QR code that will be attached to passports or visas and will track the movement of foreigners. It will detect their movement through transactions in public facilities including restaurants, hotels and ticket purchases for public transportation. The tracker programme will also be provided to public service officers who will further monitor foreigners and coordinate with immigration authorities.
"Health Protocol Guide in Hotels-Restaurants Published" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): This handbook consists of two subject matters, namely general guidance and specific guidance. General guidelines cover the management or governance of hotels and restaurants such as paying attention to the latest information and the appeal and instructions of the Central Government and Local Governments related to Covid-19 in their regions, making Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), providing and installing written appeals, and implementing basic health protocols for employees, guests, and other parties who are active in hotels and restaurants such as wearing masks, keeping a distance, and washing hands.
"Garuda Indonesia to Open Direct International Flights to Bali" from Tempo (Indonesian): “Why do we target Bali? Because Garuda is great at bringing Indonesian tourists abroad, rather than foreign tourists to Indonesia. This is what we want to focus on with the Tourist Ministry,” said Garuda CEO Irfan Setiaputra. According to him, Bali is still attractive especially for American and European tourists, and they spent much during their vacation in Dewata Island (the Island of the Gods). Irfan continued that Garuda Indonesia had also communicated with the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan and prepared the implementation of the health protocols.
Non-Covid News of Note
"Denpasar Customs Destroys Illegal Alcohol and Cigarettes Worth Rp1.9 Billion" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): The thousands of illegal goods were the result of market operations and measures against shipments from abroad from August 2019 to December 2019. Either in the form of prohibited goods or restrictions that do not meet the requirements. Destruction of destroyed goods consisted of 147 MMEA bottles, 165,416 cigarettes, 2,630 liquid vape bottles, 2,939 pcs various types of medical devices, 3,282 pcs various types of cosmetic products, and 19,517 other products of various types consisting of smartwatches, electronic devices, spare parts, accessories and clothes.
"Travel + Leisure Names Bali Hotel Capella Ubud As World’s Best in 2020" from Coconuts: The title for the World’s Best Hotel was awarded to Capella Ubud, a luxury hideaway in the highlands that was designed by visionaire Bill Bensley. The Ritz-Carlton, Belmond Jimbaran Puri, and The Mulia also made it to the list this year — ranking fourth, 23rd, and 35th, respectively — for the top 100 hotels in the world... The magazine’s readers again voted Ubud as one of the best cities in the world this year, ranking ninth out of a list of 25. When it comes to the best 15 cities in Asia, Ubud placed sixth.
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 fund 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.
Resources
Important information for foreigners who are staying on the island, such as designated COVID-19 hospitals and emergency contact numbers, can be found by following this link.
The government has cancelled its visa-on-arrival process and rolled out enhanced entry requirements for people traveling to Indonesia; they have also cancelled the automatic Emergency Stay Permit program that had been extended to most foreigners who are still in the country on temporary stay visas. You can see a (translated) list of all of the relevant entry regulations on the Directorate General of Immigration & Ministry of Law and Human Rights' website here. Scroll down halfway to the heading "Foreign nationals still residing in Indonesia due to suspending departure and ITAS & ITAP holders overseas" to see their list of which visas can still be extended. Follow them on social media to receive policy updates as soon as they are released: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Local travel website Traveloka has a helpful page with a summary of what’s needed to travel to and within the country. You can also order a rapid test or swab (PCR) test via their platform: Link
The British Embassy in Jakarta has recently posted a great summary of the Indonesian government's travel restrictions on their Facebook page. You can read it here.
The EU has launched a website to help travelers stay informed about how member states will be accelerating the reopening of their borders. Through the “EU Re-open” website, travelers can enter the name of the country they wish to visit and find out the rules that will apply after each place's coronavirus lockdown. Information on the EU Re-open website and app will continue to be updated in line with the developments of the coronavirus pandemic.
If you are trying to plan travel anywhere, here are some of the best up-to-date resources that can help you:
IATA Travel Center Update - The International Air Transport Association is the global lobbying body for the aviation industry. Their Travel Information Manual Automatic (Timatic) database feeds into airlines' reservation systems, so it is the most reliable list of flight restrictions around.
Revolver Maps' Travel Restrictions Database - This list pulls directly from IATA's Timatic database and arranges the countries in lists that are easier to navigate and creates share-able links for every country. NOTE: This is a third-party service and they warn that the updates to their system can be delayed by several hours for certain countries.
Al Jazeera Travel Restriction & Border Shutdown Tracker - A companion list that includes less technical summaries of each country's travel restrictions, beyond just flights and airport access.
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 will 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.