Tuesday, February 23
Regencies to continue hotel isolation program + Pres. says 4.6 million doses of AstraZenica vaccine will go to one province + Minister says all Bali tourism workers should get vaccine in March + more!
Good morning! Welcome to The Bali Beat for Tuesday, February 23. If you’re not a subscriber, sign up here to get this update delivered directly to your Inbox every Monday-Friday morning, along with each evening’s Covid-19 update. If you are already a subscriber, thank you! Please be sure to share it with others in the island community by clicking the button below.
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Weather & Waves
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
*NOTE: The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a flood warning for today in Karangasem, Buleleng, Tabanan, and Bangli.
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: It was another day of sub-300 new cases and recoveries made a leap from Sunday which pushed the number of active cases down slightly. Of note, however, the number of confirmed cases in Denpasar's (129) pushed it past 10k all-time (10,119). Deaths have moderated slightly, which has helped the record pace of fatalities that we're seeing in February slip just a little. The month-to-date total now stands at 197, which is 22% above the rate of the previous worst month, September. As recently as last week, February had been running nearly 29% ahead.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers. And in case you missed it, check out Sunday’s update for a summary of last week’s overall totals, with perspective on how they stack up against previous weeks + detailed breakdowns of the virus’ spread on a Regency-by-Regency level.
The Big News
"Bali to Continue Hotel Quarantine Subsidy for Covid-19 Patients With Regional Budget After Brief Suspension" from Coconuts: Bali province is set to continue subsidizing the quarantine of COVID-19 patients who are mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic in hotels using the regional budget, an official said today, after the program was briefly suspended due to uncertainty in funding from the central government. I Made Rentin, secretary of the COVID-19 Task Force in Bali, said today that all regencies in Bali have agreed to use the regional budget to fund hotel quarantine for coronavirus patients. “The quarantines will still be centralized. Eight regencies are ready to fund this. Denpasar City has yet to decide [and will] look for other alternatives,” Rentin said.
Context: Secretary Rentin also said yesterday that there are over Rp. 30 billion in unpaid fees to the 20 hotels that have housed Covid-positive people who are in isolation. While Denpasar’s government has said that it will discontinue the hotel isolation program due to a lack of available funds, instead of going back to recommending self isolation, it will attempt to utilize government buildings and facilities such as training centers as quarantine places. It will also attempt to find hotels that can accommodate patients at a lower cost. Meanwhile, officials in Buleleng are still having trouble finding a hotel that will agree to house patients there, forcing the regency to continue to run its isolation program out of a hotel in Denpasar.
"Tourism Worker Vaccination Proposed March 2021, Sandiaga: Kick Off in Bali" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno plans to propose a Covid-19 vaccination for tourism workers and creative economy players starting March 2021. Vaccination starts in Bali . "We are proposing the kick off in Bali, because Bali is the most affected by the tourism sector and its creative economy," Sandiaga said. According to him, tourism sector workers need to get vaccines immediately because they are in contact with many people. They are vulnerable to Covid-19, so it is very important to get immunity from the vaccination program. According to him, tourism sector workers need to get vaccines immediately because they are in contact with many people. They are vulnerable to Covid-19, so it is very important to get immunity from the vaccination program.
"Viral Foreigner Who Block Roads in Denpasar to Be Deported? This Is Said the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Bali" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian): The Directorate General of Immigration is coordinating with related parties regarding the identity of a motorbike rider carried by a foreign woman in an argument with a Traffic Police (Polantas) officer, on Friday, February 19, 2021. "We are looking for the identity of the person concerned. I have instructed the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Bali and I have conveyed an oral direction to the Regional Head," said Immigration Director General Jhoni. The Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Bali Province, Jamaruli Manihuruk said that in response to the direction from the Director General of Immigration, his party now all Immigration Offices in Bali are looking for the identity and whereabouts of the person concerned. the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Bali Province, Jamaruli Manihuruk said that in response to the direction from the Director General of Immigration, his party now all Immigration Offices in Bali are looking for the identity and whereabouts of the person concerned.
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Other Headlines
"Government Cuts 5 Days From 2021 Collective Leave Schedule" from Coconuts: The government has cut five collective leave days from this year’s libur schedule, considering that previous spikes in the country’s COVID-19 caseload came right after public holidays. “Previously, there were seven collective leave days [in 2021]. After careful review, the collective leave days schedule has been shortened from seven days to just two days,” said Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy.
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
"PPKM Micro Is Claimed to Be Effective in Resisting the Transmission Rate of Covid-19" from The Bali Post (Indonesian): Supervision and control of the implementation of the Enforcement of Micro-scale Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) has been effective in curbing the rate of transmission of COVID-19 at the village level. This was conveyed by the Head of the COVID-19 Task Force Health Management Division, Brigadier General TNI (Purn) Dr. Alexander K Ginting. "Whereas this micro-scale PPKM, from the macro level, looks rather loose, because the mall is still open. But schools are closed. But what is different is that at the micro-scale PPKM level there is a lockdown. The lockdown is at the zoning level,” Alexander said.
More...
Nation: "Village Level Covid-19 Free Zone Increased" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Klungkung Does Not Have Red and Orange Zones, This Is the Greenest Area" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
Tabanan: "Tabanan Now Zero Red Zone Village" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Vaccination Update
"Indonesian Government to Utilize the AstraZeneca Vaccine" from Bali Plus: The Indonesian government to receive the Covid-19 vaccine produced by AstraZeneca. The vaccine is expected to arrive around the end of February. “At the end of February or early March, there will be 4.6 (million doses) of AstraZeneca available,” said President Joko Widodo in an official statement on Saturday (20/2). Distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine is still being discussed. The vaccine is planned to be used in a limited capacity in one province... Jokowi said this takes into account the people who have been vaccinated. The AstraZeneca vaccination is also carried out twice in a period of 1 to 2 months. “Only this is still in discussion at the Ministry of Health whether this will be devoted to one province, so that management is easier. This has not been decided yet,” Jokowi explained.
More...
Island: "Attracting Foreign Tourists to Enter Bali, Badung Suggests Vaccine-based Tourism" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Island: "6,000 Workers from Bali Ready to be Sent on Cruise Ships [and Need Vaccination]" from The IDN Times (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Had Run Out of Stock, Tomorrow the Covid-19 Referral Hospital in Denpasar Continued the Injection of the Second Dose of Vaccine" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Thousands of Elderly in Bali Will Be Vaccinated, a Priority for Denpasar Residents" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
"Ministry of Social Affairs Cancels Death Compensation for Covid-19 Patients" from Bali Express (Indonesian): The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) RI issued a Circular (SE) RI No 150 / 3.2 / BS.01.02 / 02/2021. The SE Kemensos RI dated February 18, 2021, contains recommendations and questions about the proposed compensation for the heirs of victims who died due to Covid-19. One of the points in the SE stated that in the 2021 fiscal year there was no budget allocation for compensation for victims of death due to Covid-19 for the heirs, so that the recommendations and proposals submitted by the previous Provincial / Regency / City Dinsos could not be followed up. Head of the Jembrana Regency Government Social Service I Made Dwipayana, Monday (22/2) said he was surprised by the cancellation of the death compensation due to Covid-19 to the heirs. With the cancellation from the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, Dwipayana conveyed his apologies to the Jembrana people, especially to the family of heirs whose relatives died because of Covid-19.
Tourism Figures
"Passengers to Bali via Ketapang Port Drop 50.34%" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): Passengers and vehicles entering Bali via the Ketapang-Gilimanuk ferry port respectively experienced a 50.34% decline in 2020 compared to the previous year (year on year / YoY) and 39.25% YoY. Based on Ketapang Port data received by Bisnis , the number of passengers during 2020 was 3,624,657 passengers or the realization was only 49.7% from the previous year. The number of vehicles crossing the Ketapang Port to Gilimanuk in 2020 was 1,294,044 vehicles or 60.7% of the previous year's realization. Initially, of the 7 docks in Ketapang Port, 5 ships were operating each. With the Covid-19 pandemic, operation of only 4 ships at each dock.
More...
"Visits of Foreign Tourists to Bali Plummeted Before the Pandemic Entered Indonesia" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
"Watch Out! Bali Police Will Install Surveillance Cameras for Electronic Tickets" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The Dirlantas Polda Bali together with the Bali Provincial Transportation Agency and a number of stakeholders are designing Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (ETLE). This tool in the form of surveillance cameras will record traffic offenders who violate the road and provide a ticket electronically. The initial stage of development is planned for 4 points. The four points have not been determined with certainty because a survey must be conducted first. Initially, the ETLE plan would be installed in an orderly traffic area (KTL). In Indonesia, ETLE has also been implemented in Jakarta. The way it works, this camera snoops and records road users. If there is a violation, it will be reported to the system, then the vehicle number will be traced. After the vehicle number is detected, it is followed by confirmation from the owner, and given a proof of violation (ticket). If the offender or the owner of the vehicle does not pay the ticket, the STNK will be blocked, and when paying the Samsat a legal decision will be imposed on this ticket.
"Bali Determined to Be the First Eco Enzyme Island in the World" from Suara Bali (Indonesian): Bali Province Eco Enzyme Nusantara Community Coordinator , Jokoryanto, at the opening of the trial movement for eco enzyme sprinkling applications in garbage piles in the Suwung Denpasar Final Disposal Site (TPA) on Sunday (21/2) evening stated Bali's determination to become an eco island. the world's first enzyme. Eco enzyme, or liquid fermented organic waste, will be used by the Island of the Gods in protecting and preserving the environment. Watering with eco enzyme can not only break down the chemicals contained in the soil, but will also make the soil fertile. "It can neutralize leachate produced by garbage. It can even break down many air pollutants. So if all households can make and not throw organic waste into the TPA, it can suppress methane gas," said Jokoryanto.
Of Interest
"Air New Zealand to Trial Digital Covid 'Vaccination Passport'" from Agence France-Presse
"Gianyar Lack of 1,500 Teachers" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
"Sales of Endek Bali Weaving Increased Ahead of the Governor's Circular Letter" from Antara (Indonesian)
"Sanjiwani Hospital Allocates Rp. 897 Million to Handle Medical Waste" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
"Construction Begins On Final MDA Building in Bali, Finally in Klungkung Regency" from Bali Puspa News (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.
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