Thursday, July 23
Country sets daily death record as Bali goes fatality-free for the first time in a week + Blended families feeling strain from govt's visa rule changes + Rapid Tests now available at airport + more!
Good morning! Welcome to the COVID-19 Update for Bali for Thursday, July 23. 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 ALERT: As of press time, there has not yet been an update from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights or the Directorate of Immigration in regards to yesterday’s report of Minister Yasonna Laoly's statement that for "foreigners who were still here (in Bali) would extend their residence permit” he's ordered his subordinates to “immediately telex and later, [their] residence permit visa will be immediately followed up." I will continue to monitor the media + official channels for more information and will post it here once it’s available. In the meantime, you can check for updates during the day by following Immigration on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
"Indonesia Posts Highest Daily Death Toll Yet with 139 Fatalities" from The Jakarta Post: The Health Ministry announced 139 more COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, by far the highest one-day death toll linked to the contagious disease in Indonesia. The previous highest daily record was recorded on Sunday, when the country recorded 127 fatalities -- the first time that a one-day death toll had surpassed 100 since March. From July 15 to Wednesday, Indonesia recorded approximately 95 COVID-19 deaths per day, higher than its daily fatality average of 69 deaths per day in the previous week, according to data compiled by The Jakarta Post.
(Ed. Note: Yesterday was the first time in 8 days that Bali did not register any Covid-19-related deaths. While this is good news, deaths are a lagging indicator of the effects of the virus, with fatalities following 3-4 weeks after diagnosis. As infection numbers have doubled over the last 3 weeks, growing numbers of deaths should be expected in the coming days and weeks. Wear a mask.)
"Mixed Families, Couples Have Mixed Response to Nixed Emergency Permit" from The Jakarta Post: Many mixed couples and their families now have an additional uncertainty to deal with. Some couples and families may even be forcibly separated across international borders as a result of the updated policy... The immigration office announced on its official Twitter account @ditjen_imigrasi on July 13 that it was permitting the extension of ITAP and temporary stay permits (ITAS). It also announced that visitors with a visa on arrival (VOA) who were now on the emergency permit may also extend their VOAs within the 30-day grace period. The immigration website contains a caveat, however: "unless the Covid-19 pandemic is declared over and available transports are leaving Indonesia." It does not mention travel restrictions that may still be in force in a visitor's home country that may affect their arrival or deny them entry.
"I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Provides Rapid Test Services" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): This service is located in the Domestic Terminal area, making it easy to reach by potential passengers, airport service users, and the general public. This service operates every day, including Sundays and holidays, starting at 08.00 until 16.00 local time... "As of July 22, we are providing rapid test services at the airport. This is to answer the needs of airport service users and the general public regarding the availability of rapid test facilities," said Herry AY Sikado, General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Bali International Airport. "For prospective passengers and the general public who want to do a rapid test, the fee charged is Rp 150,000 for a single test, with the results of the inspection that can be immediately known within a span of approximately 15 minutes," said Herry.
Other Headlines
"Denpasar Shopping Center Launches Visitor Check-in System" from Antara (Indonesian): Level 21 Mall shopping center located in Denpasar City, Bali, enhances the implementation of a health protocol to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by launching a barcode check-in system for visitors. "The system of barcode check-in by SpeedID this we have launched and socialize together with the Department of Industry and Trade of Denpasar and the Department of Communications, Information Technology and Statistics Denpasar," said Mall Manager Level 21 Mall, Zenzen Guisi Halmis, said... He explained that the check-in system was implemented to monitor the capacity of visits in the mall area so that the physical distancing scheme could be implemented better and optimally. "This system also complements various health protocols that we have previously implemented in the mall area to protect partners, employees and visitors and prioritize health and safety."
"Bedugul Botanical Gardens Re-opens to the Public" from Bali Plus: After the opening of the Bogor Botanical Gardens and the Cibodas Botanical Gardens, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) opened the "Eka Karya" Bali Botanical Gardens on Monday... The opening of the "Eka Karya" Bali Botanical Gardens was in conjunction with a Certificate in Tourism Towards a Safe and Productive Tabanan which was submitted by the Regent of Tabanan, Ni Putu Eka Wiryastuti. “This opening provides momentum for Bali’s ‘Eka Karya’ Botanical Garden to return to providing educational services with better service standards in accordance with Health protocols” said Head of the Bali LIPI "Eka Karya" Botanical Garden Conservation Center, Didit Okta Pribadi.
"Pandemic Leaves Animals Abandoned, Starving in Bali, West Nusa Tenggara" from The Jakarta Post: “In many instances, animals who brought in an income for their owners are now rendered ‘worthless’, as the global tourism industry comes to a standstill. Bali and the Gili Islands have been especially impacted by this, given the huge reliance of their economies on tourism,” Animals Australia spokesperson Louise Bonomi said in a statement on Wednesday... “As we saw borders closing rapidly and international travel grind to a halt, it was very clear to us that the situation for animals would deteriorate rapidly, especially for captive and working animals whose care and upkeep is dependent on tourist income,” added Bonomi.
"Ex-Tourism Minister Maps Road to Recovery" from Bali Discovery: Outlining the road ahead for tourism’s recovery, Former Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism from 2000-2004, I Gede Ardhika, said: “What’s important now is the implementation of health protocols. This begins with yourself, your family, company, and your immediate circle.This must be done until the public rigorously undertakes health protocols. It is at this point that destinations can be determined whether or not if they are ready to welcome tourists and regain their trust. It’s a step-by-step process for each tourism destination.” Once health protocols are effectively operating, then create a priority list of which destinations you want to reopen first, Ardhika added.
Non-Covid News of Note
"Romanian Man Faces Possible Deportation After Creating A Scene in Bali Villa" from Coconuts: A Romanian national was kicked out of his villa in Seminyak, Bali after failing to pay his monthly rent this week. He has since loitered around the area without a place to stay, with officials now saying that the foreigner is at risk of being deported from Indonesia... “In terms of his immigration documents, his is complete. But he violated a local regulation, so he faces possible deportation and right now he’s currently detained,” I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesman from the regional office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, said. The foreigner, a 41-year-old Romanian man identified by his initials AS, was apprehended by officers from the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) in Badung regency yesterday for alleged disruption of public order.
"Celukan Bawang in Buleleng Set as an Integrated Economic Zone" from Antara (Indonesian): Celukan Bawang Region in Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency has been designated as an Integrated Economic Zone in accordance with Bali Province Regulation No. 3 of 2020, meaning that "other sectors can enter as well as the tourism sector," said Buleleng Regent Putu Agus Suradnyanadi. "Anything can come in. Hotels can also be supported by preparations for industrial supply," he said.
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. 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. 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.
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