Thursday, March 18
Govt updates several visa rules; single-entry visit visas now OK for 180 days & can be extended once + Denpasar govt debating which foreigners can get vaccine & whether they will have to pay + more!
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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: New case numbers seem to have returned to what had been “normal” prior to the Nyepi holiday. The next few days will confirm whether the big downshift seen the previous few days was/is real or whether it was induced by the holiday and/or presidential visit. Deaths have stayed elevated, unfortunately- but recoveries continue apace, and the number of Active Cases has dropped below 1,500 for the first time since January 9. (It peaked at 3,642 cases on January 29.)
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"Visa Changes, Here’s What the Indonesian Government Issued" from Indonesia Expat: A visit stay permit, previously known as a “sosial budaya”, is a single-entry visit visa. These visas are now valid for a total of 180 days with no extension possible. Before, this type of visa was valid for 60 days and could be extended whilst in the country four times, with a maximum stay of six months. Further, visit stay permits that are multiple-entry visa visas will be granted 180 days and can be extended to allow for a total stay of no more than one year in the country. Visa on arrival, which used to offer 30 days with an extension of a further 30 days has been changed. The new regulations state that the visa will be issued for 30 days with no extensions possible. (NOTE: A total of 7 major changes to different visa categories are spelled out in this story. Click the headline to read them all - ed.)
"Creating a Green Zone Sanur, Expatriates Are Also Designed for Vaccinations" from The Bali Post (Indonesian): Deputy Chairman of the Denpasar DPRD, Wayan Mariyana Wandhira questioned the technicality of administering vaccines that would target Sanur residents. Then what is the treatment like for the large number of migrants in Sanur? If you look at the available data, the population of Sanur reaches 24,161. This number only has a Denpasar KTP. "Then what kind of people do not have a Denpasar KTP?" asked Wandhira... The Mayor of Denpasar, IGN Jaya Negara, revealed that in realizing the Sanur Green Zone, all residents in Sanur will be vaccinated. Both those who have Denpasar ID cards and those who work live in Sanur. In fact, his party is also coordinating to provide vaccines to expatriates living in Sanur. Because so far many expatriates, such as Japanese citizens, live in Sanur. "We are coordinating this, because this vaccine is given free of charge from the state budget, can it be given to outsiders? This is what we need to coordinate,” said Jaya Negara.
"Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno Hopes to Attract Digital Nomads to Bali With Long-term Visa" from Coconuts: Sandiaga previously encouraged innovative approaches within the tourism industry in order for it to survive the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which included attracting digital nomads. Earlier this year, the official invited people across the country to work and study from Bali, and said he was working on introducing policies to further support such a program. Yesterday, he said digital nomads might consider Bali as a destination if Indonesia starts offering long-term visas. “This is a prerequisite so that even more digital nomads from around the world would consider Bali as their second home, and more people will work from home,” Sandiaga said, emphasizing the rising trend of digital nomadism across the globe.
>> Classifieds <<
Business is tough in the best of times, but these days- Wow. Thankfully, there’s a supportive spirit among the people 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
"After the Jokowi Visit, Positive Cases in Bali Rose Again, Up 300%" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): When compared to the visit of the Indonesian president on Tuesday (16/3), the addition of this positive confirmed number increased three times or more than 300 percent. The reason is that during the 1st RI visit to Ubud Royal Palace, the number of confirmed positives was only 77 people. Meanwhile, from the previous cumulative development data, namely on March 13, 2021 or the day before the 1943 Caka New Year (Pengerupukan) Nyepi celebration, the number of people confirmed positive was 153 people... According to the Head of the Bali Provincial Health Office, Dr. Ketut Suarjaya, the ups and downs of the number of Covid-19 cases in Bali are still uncertain. "To determine whether this case goes up or down in Bali, we have to look at the next 2 (two) to 3 (three) weeks, only then can it be analyzed whether it really goes up or down," he concluded.
Vaccination Update
"Indonesia Prepares for Self-funded Vaccination Campaign" from Antara: The government has been preparing a self-funded vaccination program dubbed "Gotong Royong" for private companies, under which they will provide vaccines to employees for free. Vaccines from Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Novavax, and Pfizer are being administered under the government's vaccination program. The self-funded vaccination program will use Sinopharm and Moderna vaccines. They will first have to be approved by the National Food and Drug Control (BPOM). The Ministry of Health is still waiting for the price and quantity of Moderna and Sinopharm vaccines to be set, based on the agreement between Bio Farma and Kadin. Once the amount and price are agreed on, the Ministry of Health will issue a regulation, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said.
More...
Nation: "Over 4.7 million Indonesians Vaccinated Against Covid-19" from Antara
Nation: "Nearly All Health Workers Fully Vaccinated against Covid-19" from The Jakarta Globe
Island: "Koster Continues to Lobby the Minister of Health So That 3 million Balinese Are Vaccinated" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Island: "Prepared Mass Vaccination in 3 Green Zones in Bali, These Are Details of Vaccine Needs" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
Island: "Kesdam IX Udayana Bali Has Injected the Covid-19 Vaccine to 4,673 People" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian)
Bangli: "Prior to the Work, the Stakeholders and Kasinoman at Ulun Danu Batur Temple Will Be Vaccinated" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Buleleng Vaccination Target is 117,000 Residents, Only 7.45% Reached" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"Health Protocols to Still Be Applied in Online Transportation Services" from Antara: Health protocols -- wearing masks, maintaining sanitation, and physical distancing -- will still be applied in online transportation services, including online motorcycle taxis, such as Gojek, even after the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control. "The pandemic has given rise to a new paradigm of transportation and how to provide it," noted Yudo Anggoro, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Policy and Public Management of School of Business and Management ITB. Health protocols applied in online transportation services, include the use of masks, disinfection of vehicles, and the use of helmets, which are deemed crucial by the community to maintain passenger safety and comfort.
More...
Bangli: "Again, the Joint Team Finds 4 Residents of the Prokes Violation in Tembuku District" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Not All Teachers Are Vaccinated, Badung Delays Face-to-Face Learning" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Face-to-face learning (PTM) for schools in Badung Regency has not yet opened. This is because the Covid-19 case in Gumi Keris is still quite high. In addition, not all teachers have received the covid-19 vaccination injection. Acting Head (Plt) of the Badung Education Office, I Made Mandi, said that based on the results of the coordination meeting between his party and the Deputy Regent of Badung, Ketut Suiasa, the Health Service, Satpol PP and related agencies, it has not been decided to implement face-to-face learning... "For face-to-face learning, we will still follow the conditions of Covid-19 because the Regent has issued a Circular for studying at home to an undetermined limit," explained Made Mandi. Face-to-face learning in schools can only be done if the Covid-19 case is completely under control.
Tourism Figures
"Mid-March, Ngurah Rai Airport Passengers Up 35%" from Bali Express (Indonesian): In mid-March 2021, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport was recorded to have served 109,046 passengers, an increase of about 35% compared to the same [Nyepi] period in February 2021, which saw as many as 80,688 passengers. Meanwhile, aircraft movements also experienced positive growth for 15 days in March, totaling 1,294 movements. Namely, aircraft departing 650 movements and arriving 644 aircraft movements or the total ratio between February increased 5%.
"Kuta Has Not Been Set as Green Zone, Menparekraf: Will Be Next for Us" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian): The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) of the Republic of Indonesia, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, asked the people of Kuta to keep their spirits up. "I ask the people to keep their spirits up, because Kuta Beach is certainly ours. We make sure that the three zones that the President set yesterday run smoothly... And I have installed the body for the term, Mr. Regent, that if the proof of concept for the first stage is completed, Kuta will be next for us. Earlier, there were several things that the Governor had also submitted, but this (Kuta) is very, very priority to be included in the proof of concept stage two or step two," he said.
Context: This declaration comes as other districts are starting to call for regions within their jurisdictions to also be designated as Green Zones. Buleleng’s Regent has already identified Nusa Penida as a logical next location, while Regent I Komang Gede Sanjaya in Tabanan has called for the region around Tanah Lot and two other areas to be added to the list.
Of Interest
"Minister Uno, Indian Envoy Discuss Reopening of Bali Tourism" from Antara
"Regional Revenue in Bali Contracts, Only Denpasar Meets Target" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
"Accommodating 1,000 traders, Banyuasri Market Operates Next Week" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"After Nyepi Celebration, the Volume of Garbage in Badung Increases" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
"84.62% Recorded, Voter Participation In 2020 In Badung Is The Highest In Indonesia" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
"The Price of Cayenne Pepper Has Skyrocketed, Production Has Dropped Due to Pest Attacks" from Bali Express (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 TheBaliBeat@outlanders.global.
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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