Thursday, March 4
Island to have single-day Nyepi; Ogoh-Ogoh cancelled + Tabanan officials confirm that fewer Covid tests are being run + "Green Zone" scheme lauded by govt officials, panned by scientists + 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: The number of new cases ticked up yesterday but stayed below the 200 mark- the 4th day out of the last 5 that this has been the case. The 7-day average (216) is as low as it's been since January 11 (198). This is still not at pre-Christmas levels, but the island is definitely off of the post-New Year peak. Deaths remain stuck at an elevated level.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"PHDI Bali Affirms that the Celebration of Silent Day Remains a Day, This Year's Ogoh-Ogoh Celebration Is Abolished" from Tribune Bali (Inonesian): Responding to issues circulating among the public, regarding Nyepi Day which is held for three days, Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) denied this. Chairman of PHDI Bali Prof. Dr. Drs. I Gusti Ngurah Sudiana, M.Sc., emphasized that Nyepi was still held for one full day on Sunday, March 14, 2021. "Now, if someone informs you that Nyepi is three days, that's wrong information. Do not exaggerate that too, because it is clear in the Joint Circular, PHDI and MDA of Bali Province , Nyepi is only one day," he explained. Regarding the ogoh-ogoh parade during Pengerupukan or the day before Nyepi, which was usually held by Balinese youths before the Covid-19 pandemic, this time, it will be the same as the 2020 celebration, there will be no ogoh-ogoh procession. This is intended to avoid crowds preventing the emergence of a new Covid-19 cluster.
Context: Both the Chairman of ARSSI Bali Dr.dr. Ida Bagus Gede Fajar Manuaba, Sp.OG., and the head of the Bali Health Service, Dr. Ketut Suarjaya, have requested that due to the circumstances of the pandemic, internet service not be disconnected during this year's Nyepi observation.
"In Tabanan, PCR Specimen Test Starts to Drop" from The Bali Post (Inonesian): If during the previous case surge, an average of 200 to 300 samples per day was tested. Today, only 80 to 90 samples. According to the person in charge of the PCR and Microbiology Lab of BRSU Tabanan, dr I Wayan Duta Krisna, the decline in specimen examinations was due to tracing activities for those without symptoms that no longer existed. Previously, if there was a positive finding of COVID-19, 20 people around him who had close contact, either symptomatic or asymptomatic, would be traced. "Now the rules are changed. If there is a positive finding of COVID-19, who is in contact without symptoms, they will be self-isolated and those who are symptomatic then do a swab test," he explained.
Context: This story only covers what’s happening in Tabanan, but on Tuesday Dewa Gede Rai, Spokesperson for Denpasar's Covid-19 Task Force, confirmed that they were no longer testing people who had isolated for 14 days who are asymptomatic or who had only shown mild symptoms. Instead, they "have been declared cured if he has no symptoms." It’s also important to keep in mind that all testing numbers are reported directly to the central government and neither they, nor the Bali government, provide regular updates on testing volume at the provincial level. Without this data it is not possible to gain a full understanding of the island’s testing capacity, how it’s being leveraged, and what the positivity rates are- which is ultimately how you can gauge the effectiveness of health protocols in stopping the spread of the virus.
"Public Health Experts Say ‘Green Zones’ Not Feasible in Bali With Current Covid-19 Approach" from Coconuts: “[Establishing] green zones is not feasible,” Dicky Budiman, an epidemiologist from Griffith University Australia, told Coconuts. “We have to be very aware that the situation in Bali is not under control [in regards] to the pandemic, that’s very clear. Whether the government will accept this or not, as an epidemiologist and expert I can say that’s very clear.” Meanwhile, Head of Udayana University’s School of Public Health I Made Ady Wirawan also pointed to several factors in Bali’s current handling of the public health crisis that dampens the feasibility of a zoning system. “With the low rate of testing and tracing, and high positivity rate, a zoning system cannot be the sole point of reference,” Ady said.
Context: Despite the skepticism of scientists, Tourism Minister Uno presented the Green Zone plan to a virtual meeting of Foreign Ministry officials who were joined by foreign ambassadors. During the meeting he made a point to stress that "naughty tourists" who do not obey health protocols will be subject to "sanctions ranging from warnings and firm actions such as deportation." Domestically, Deputy Governor Cok Ace told a gathering that Bali will only be opened to foreign tourists who have been vaccinated, and the tourism actors who receive and serve them will also have been vaccinated.
>> Classifieds <<
Community is so important- especially in times like these. If you’re looking to connect with the community of dedicated, engaged people in Bali who’ve stayed during this pandemic, you can reach them with a classified ad in this space. Check out this page to find out how.
Some Covid Context
In this occasional, section we share interesting or insightful stories from around the world that I come across that inform issues we’re facing here. Today, it’s the never-ending mystery of masks.
How can you tell if the mask you’re wearing is protective enough against the coronavirus? Correspondent David Pogue volunteers as a test subject to see how N95s work and learns about the science of face coverings.
NOTE: Click on the embedded player above to watch or open the video on YouTube. You can also find it on CBS News’ website here. If you’ve heard a podcast or watched a video that you think can inform issues that we are facing here in Bali, let me know at newsletter@migrationmedia.net.
Other Headlines
"Government to Develop Sanur as Health Tourism Hub for Aged" from Antara: The government intends to develop the Sanur region in Bali Province as a Special Economic Zone (KEK) focused on health, with the prime focus on senior citizens, State Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir stated. "It will be different as compared to other areas in Bali. We want to attract tourists, especially the elderly," the minister noted. He pointed to 41 hectares of land ready for the development of KEK. "We await the government, state enterprises, and local as well as global investors to synergize efforts," he remarked. Of the total 41 hectares of land ready for KEK development, 21.2 hectares will be allotted for creating a health tourism hub replete with various facilities, including an international hospital, ecopark, commercial area and art market, and hotel and hospitality school.
Vaccination Update
Nation: "Over Two Million Indonesians Vaccinated So Far: Task Force" from Antara
Nation: "Indonesia’s Bio Farma to Produce 154 Million Doses of Sinovac Vaccine" from The Jakarta Globe
Nation: "Some 8,300 Firms Under Kadin Register for Independent Vaccination" from Antara
Nation: "Mass Vaccinations Conducted of Thousands of TNI Soldiers" from Antara
Badung: "Badung Regency Government Employees Began to Be Vaccinated Against Covid-19" from Antara (Indonesian)
Badung: "Limited Covid-19 Vaccine, Badung Implements Priority Scale" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Data Recipient Traders Begin, Task Force Prepares 29 Vaccination Posts" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "After Completing the Vaccination for Health Workers, Gianyar Receives an Additional 870 Vaccine Vials" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Dozens of Journalists in Jembrana Receive Covid-19 Vaccine Injection" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "1,500 People Entered the Queue List for Phase II Vaccines, Said Regent Suwirta" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Alcohol Investment Ban Fallout
"Annex to Presidential Decree 10/2021 Revoked, Foreign Investors Cancel Minol Business in Bali" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): Founder and CEO of Isola Wine Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih admitted that he had foreign investors who were interested in collaborating in developing an alcoholic beverage business in Bali. The cancellation of the regulation made it necessary to cancel foreign investors' cooperation with Isola Wine. Bagus did not want to explain further regarding the investor and the liquor cooperation plan... However, it is believed that the cancellation of the cooperation and investment plans will not have a major impact on Isola Wine's performance. The reason is, Isola wine has indeed had a national scale business license. "There is no difference [regarding the cancellation of the Perpres], only I can invite foreign investors to enter the company. That's all. Yes, there are already [foreign investors] who are interested in working with Isola wine," he said.
More...
"Arak Craftsmen in Klungkung Bali Do Not Bother With the Revocation of the Presidential Decree on Alcohol Investment" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian)
"Protect Balinese Arak Craftsmen, the Regent of the Fund Intervenes, This is the Order" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"Asking the President to Give Bali Privileges Regarding Alcohol, the Bali DPRD is Ready to Write to Jokowi" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian)
"Denpasar Police Chief Mention Alcohol Control Can Be Implemented Provided The Rules Are Clear"from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Avoid the Crowd, Ngembak Geni, Access to Sukawati Beach Is Closed" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): To reduce crowds during the Ngembak Geni holy day on Monday (15/3), all access to all beaches in Sukawati District will be closed. The duration of closure is one day. The goal is to avoid the crowd. The head of the Sukawati sub-district, I Gusti Ngurah Gede Udayadnya, stated that the closure was based on mutual agreement. "The beach access will be temporarily closed for one day, namely on Monday (15/3) and will reopen on Tuesday (16/3)," he explained.
Economy News
"Mandalika Infrastructure Development Worth IDR 1.7 Trillion Begins" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) with several BUMNs agreed to contract two infrastructure development packages worth IDR 1.7 trillion for the development of The Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK). ITDC President Director Abdulbar M. Mansoer explained that package I of infrastructure development includes road network works complete with drainage, utility boxes, landscapes and street lighting. "Apart from that, this contract will also carry out river normalization, temporary evacuation sites and water gates for the construction of core facilities and regional gates. Apart from that, the construction of clean water pipelines, dirty water pipelines, and irrigation water pipelines will also be built," he explained.
More...
"High Operating Costs of Dozens of Hotels in Buleleng for Sale" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Remittances to NTB Decreased 10.39% in January 2021" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Tourism Figures
"In Two months, Visitors to Melasti Beach Reaches 86,000"From Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
"Confide in Tourism Workers a Year of Pandemic; Savings Run Out, Valuables Are Sold, Land Is Sold" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian): Tourism in Bali is completely suspended animation. The economy of the Balinese people was shaken. This is felt by a tourism worker, Ketut S, who works as an escort for foreign tourists to tourist objects in Bali. "Yes, practically it has been almost a year for my friends and my profession who have been unemployed," he said at the start of the conversation with Tribun-Bali.com. "Sometimes when I return to my hometown, it is sad to see my friends do not have work to do. Many of them even end up working as construction workers and others, ”added the man from Buleleng Regency. There is practically no more income to be earned during this pandemic. There is only expenditure to meet daily needs.
Of Interest
"Foreigner Panics Balinese Residents, Sit Silent and Literate, Turns Out to Do This" from Suara Bali (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 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.