Thursday, July 2
Guv says that "New Era" of (limited) re-opening will begin on Jul 9 + Puri Raharja Hospital's ER closes due to Covid-19 infections + Protocols for reopening of Badung beaches laid out + more!
Good morning! Welcome to the COVID-19 Update for Bali for Thursday, July 2. 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.
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.
The Big News
"Governor Koster Announces New Era Bali Life Plan" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): "For more than three months, we cannot continue to forbid people to travel or close their businesses, which of course has an impact on the economy. For that, we have to think of a scheme so that people's lives can go well again," he explained. In coordination with local governments in Bali, the new era of Balinese life will begin with the Pamahayu Jagat Ceremony at Pura Agung Besakih to coincide with Purnama Sasih Kasa, on July 5. Then, on July 9, Bali will be opened only to sectors outside of tourism and education for local people... The governor reminded that the order of Balinese life in the new era should not be interpreted as normal life before the existence of COVID-19. He firmly stated that health protocols must be enforced strictly. "There must be no publicity, must use a mask and diligently wash hands. There must be no nightlife, strokes, let alone tajen. It must still be guided," he added.
"Puri Raharja Hospital ER Temporarily Closed Due to Covid-19 Infections" from Antara (Indonesian): The Emergency Services Unit (UGD) of Puri Raharja General Hospital has been closed until July 5 because seven health workers - three doctors and four nurses - there have tested positive for Covid-19. "Out of the seven, four of them were hospitalized, two were in quarantine and one is in a hotel. All of them are stable and are still waiting for the results of swab tests," said Marketing Manager of Puri Raharja Hospital, I Gusti Nyoman Tongki Adiyono... The temporary closure of emergency services was carried out to suppress the spread of the virus and to maintain the safety of other health workers, patuents, and the public while the facility is sterilized. Other hospital services, such as introduction from the DPJP for MRS or actions and patients from specialist polyclinics, remain open.
"Badra: Can Open Beach Attractions, But Must Monitor Corona Transmission" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Head of Badung's Tourism Office, I Made Badra, announced that, at the Badung Regent's direction, tourism objects are given leeway to be opened, but with a note that they must still pay attention and implement health protocols. "Melasti Beach, for example, has conducted trials since a few days ago. Managers implement health protocols, for example checking body temperature, and visitors must wear a mask," said Badra... According to Badra, the beaches that are in preparation will be opened such as Labuan Sait Beach, Jimbaran, Kedonganan, including Kuta Beach, Canggu and its surroundings. "We invite each manager to readiness (open), with a note that the health protocol must be implemented," he said.
Other Headlines
"Denpasar Resident Who Died from Covid-19 Had A History of Lung Disease" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): "There is a patient died with a history of lung disease," said Covid-19 Denpasar Task Force spokesman, I Dewa Gede Rai. The 54-year-old women who lived in Kesiman Village, East Denpasar District, died at Sanglah Hospital after undergoing treatment since June 9.
"Bali Set to Launch Dedicated Task Force to Prevent New Covid-19 Clusters in Traditional Markets" from Coconuts: “We hope that this task force or monitoring post will be able to conduct daily monitoring to prevent new clusters on traditional markets,” Dewa Made Indra, regional secretary to the Bali administration, said... The task force, which Indra said could collaborate with the police or military, is expected to raise awareness on proper mask-wearing and other crucial health protocols, such as proper and regular handwashing. It appears that putting up posters and distributing pamphlets on these matters are perceived to be ineffective, as both visitors and sellers may not necessarily follow through.
"As Covid-19 Cases in Bali Increase, Sanglah Hospital Adds Treatment Room" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): Sanglah Hospital is currently treating 68 positive patients, yet its treatment room capacity is 70. But seeing a surge of positive patients in recent weeks, this government hospital decided to increase the treatment room. "We are adding a treatment room with the intention of anticipating Covid-19 patients referred here," said Director of Sanglah Hospital, I Made Sudiana. The new room will be able to accommodate 32 additional patients.
"7 Bali Doctors Who Tested Positive Admitted to Hospital" from The Bali Sun: Seven doctors in Bali Province have been admitted to the Udayana University Hospital after testing positive for the novel coronavirus disease, the hospital’s director, Dewa Putu Gede Purwa Samatra, revealed on Tuesday. The doctors, who include specialists such as an obstetrician and an internist, were sent to the Udayana hospital from several local hospitals. One of the doctors has diabetes mellitus, but his condition has so far remained stable, Samatra added.
The View from Outside
"Pandemic-fuelled Baby Boom Has Many Indonesians Worried" from Agence France-Presse: With her husband left jobless by the pandemic, the last thing Indonesian mother Juarsih needed was to get pregnant, but now she's expecting a third child -- one of many in the country anxiously preparing for a COVID-fuelled baby boom. Indonesian authorities believe there could be 400,000 more births than usual next year as lockdowns keep couples at home and cut access to contraception, prompting fears of an increase in abortions and stunting of children in poorer families.
(Ed. Note: The "Impending Baby Boom" story has appeared several times in this newsletter, as it's a common media trope. For an alternate take, check out this segment from last week's episode of the Innovation Hub Podcast: Baby Boom or Baby Bust?,which discusses research on past economic downturns that demonstrates an extremely close relationship between the level of economic stability and birth rates, even prior to widespread access to birth control. It’s practically one-to-one; a 1% increase in unemployment correlates with a 1% decrease in babies born... This research was done on the US population, so it's not clear whether it would apply to a developing economy such as Indonesia, but it's an interesting counter to this media narrative. We'll see which is correct towards the end of the year.)
Non-Covid News of Note
"Credit Cards Move to 'PIN Only' Starting Today" from Indonesia Expat: Starting today, 1st July 2020, credit and debit card transactions in Indonesia will be required to use a six-digit PIN (personal identification number) for all activities. The change is in accordance with the mandate from Bank Indonesia (BI) whereby authentication via signatures will no longer be accepted... There will be no issues with foreign cards that have four- and five-digit PINs. Cards that have been issued by banks outside Indonesia will still be required to use a PIN and signing to authorise a transaction will no longer be an option. Credit and debit card users without a PIN are urged to contact their issuing bank or credit card company.
"8 Suspects Facing Life in Prison After Bali Drug Manufacturing House Raided" from The Bali Sun: A large syndicate has been taken down in Bali after police raided a house in Badung uncovering a large-scale drug operation. Nana Sudjana, Jakarta Metro Police chief, told reporters on Monday that the drugs are made in the form of liquid vape and produced in a home located in South Kuta, Badung regency. Police say that the illegal business started operating in January, and the items have been sold online both in Bali and Jakarta for billions of rupiah in profit every month. Under Indonesia’s 2009 Narcotics Law, the suspects individually face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
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 granted automatic extensions to most foreigners who are still in the country on temporary stay visas. You can see a (translated) list of all of the relevant regulations on the Directorate General of Immigration & Ministry of Law and Human Rights' website here. You can see their confirmation of this policy on June 11 here, and see a cringe-inducing PSA here.
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.