Tuesday, July 14
Immigration: 7k foreigners affected by new visa rules + New market cluster in Bangli + National Education Minister wants in-person schooling while Balinese parents complain about school access + more!
Good morning! Welcome to the COVID-19 Update for Bali for Tuesday, July 14. 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 NOTE: The Directorate of Immigration has updated their website with the list of visa types that can be extended. You can find it here- scroll down halfway to the heading "Foreign nationals still residing in Indonesia due to suspending departure and ITAS & ITAP holders overseas". (Note that those who have entered via a free Visa On Arrival are not able to extend their stays beyond August 12.) Unfortunately, there are still no official details on what is required to obtain an extension, or how long each extension is good for. Per my policy of only sharing information from official sources, I am not comfortable publishing any of the anecdotes of personal experiences at Immigration offices that have been shared on social media- especially since there are inconsistencies among them based on which offices are visited. As soon as there are official regulations/processes posted by the Directorate, they will be shared here and linked in the Resources section below. Until then, the best advice is to contact the Directorate directly, or reach out to a visa agent to get your questions answered.
"Trapped By Pandemic, An Estimated 7,000 Foreign Tourists Still in Bali" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): Head of the Bali Office of the Kemenkumham, Jamaruli Manihuruk revealed as many as 7,000 foreign nationals (foreigners) are estimated to still be in Bali. Although they did not convey in detail their citizenship, it was stated that the number was dominated by Australian citizens. Of these, he could not be sure how many potentially affected by the expired visa problem. According to him there is a policy to extend residence permits without having to go outside Indonesia.
"35 Traders At Kidul Market in Bangli Test Positive for Covid-19, Market Closed Starting Today" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian): 35 swab tests on the 84 Pasar Kidul, Bangli who gave reactive results to rapid tests last week have come back as positive for Covid-19. 32 of them are Bangli residents, and three others are residents from Banjarangkan, Klungkung... I Made Gianyar, Chairman of Bangli's Covid-19 Task Force said that in accordance with the rules for controlling Covid-19, Pasar Kidul would be closed for three days, starting on Tuesday. "When it is closed, disinfectant spraying will be carried out. Besides that, market management will also be arranged," he said.
"Minister of Education and Culture Stressed That There is No Plan to Establish Distance Education" from Antara (Indonesian): "Face-to-face learning is the best learning model that cannot be replaced. The Ministry of Education and Culture ensures that it has no plans to keep distance education (PJJ) as the only teaching and learning model in all schools," Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud) Nadiem Anwar Makarim said. He added that face-to-face learning would be further strengthened by a combination of the use of technology that had been massively applied during the COVID-19 pandemic... According to him, many people misunderstood what he said some time ago related to permanent PJJ. In fact, there is no one in the Ministry of Education and Culture who wants PJJ. All stakeholders still want students to return to school immediately and learn face-to-face if the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided. (Ed. Note: This statement by the Minister clarifies the news in last Saturday's newsletter that online learning had been confirmed through the end of the year. That story - linked here - was about Bali's plans, and it is not clear if/how the Minister's position will affect local schools.)
Other Headlines
"Bali Immigration Arrests Homeless Russian Living in Front of Ngurah Rai Airport" from Antara (Indonesian): Immigration and Badung Police have arrested a Russian citizen named Marat Rusminnubaev who was found squatting in a vacant lot in front of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for one month. "We are still holding him, checking to if he has violated any laws, because currently all foreigners have been given automatic visa extensions. But with the new rules, of course we first confirm his status, whether he should return to his country," said Head of Bali Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Jamaruli Manihuruk... Jamaruli said after the results of the examination of the foreigner was completed, they would then be deported to their home country. "You don't have to be sent home immediately, so if you don't have a plane in your country, then we have to wait until there is a plane to send it home," Jamaruli said.
"Mall Level 21 Forms A Covid-19 Task Force to Anticipate Visitors Who Don't Follow Health Protocols" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): "If there are visitors who do not implement health protocols such as not using masks, crowding, and leaning or touching the barrier that already contains the appeal, Level 21 Mall task force will immediately make a reprimand," said Zenzen Guisi Halmis, General Manager of Level 21 Mall.
"Traditional Market Visitors in Tabanan Rarely Wash Their Hands" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): From the results of market monitoring, officials found the habits of the people who came to the market, both traders and buyers, still lack of washing hands. Officials such as the head of the market and the Department of Industry and Trade are asked to continue educating, so that people are accustomed to washing their hands. Including washing hands around the market is reproduced so as not to cause long lines. From the monitoring also found there are one to two people who have not worn a mask. "This needs to be monitored closely," said I Wayan Lara, Chair of Commission II of the Tabanan DPRD.
"Rapid Tests Still Expensive, Private Hospitals Asked to Follow the Ministry of Health Policy" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Managers of private hospitals in Buleleng Regency are being encouraged to follow the Ministry of Health's Circular Letter (SE) related to the maximum rate of antibody rapid test. Until now, the service tariff for antibody rapid tests is still in the range of Rp 300,000 to Rp 350,000 each. The Ministry of Health set the highest rate for the rapid test of antibodies at Rp 150,000... In regards to private hospitals, Gede Suyasa, Secretary of Buleleng Regency's COvid-19 Task Force said that the government is currently conducting monitoring. "We still urge that non-government health services follow the Ministry of Health's SE. If we don't have a government (fee collection), we can do it for private hospitals, please."
The View from Outside
"Indonesia Is Failing to Control Coronavirus Outbreak, Say Experts" from The Guardian: Bali is now allowing domestic tourists and plans to open to international tourists in September. Dr I Gusti Agung Ngurah Anom, chairman of Indonesia Doctors Association (IDI) in Denpasar, Bali’s capital, said he was worried about a big increase in transmission. The city’s 472 isolation beds are fully occupied. “The number of cases has jumped but we have no idea yet when it will peak,” he said. So far, more than 2,000 cases have been recorded... Medical staff work flat out, without removing their protective clothing at all during eight-hour shifts because they fear they could contract the virus, said Ngurah: “We almost don’t have time to drink or to pee, some wear Pampers [nappies].” In some cases, he said, patients lie about having had contact with an infected person, making it even harder for staff to determine the risk of transmission. “We hope that the government does more testing, testing, and testing, so that we can trace the cases,” Ngurah added.
Non-Covid News of Note
"Bali Regional House of Representatives Admits Disconnect with Education Minister Over PPDB Implementation" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): Member of Commission IV of the Bali DPRD, I Wayan Rawan Atmaja, complained that his party was experiencing a "break up" with the Head of Bali Province's Office of Education, Youth and Sports (Disdikpora), IKN Boy Jayawibawa. He conveyed the complaint to the Governor of the Province of Bali Wayan Koster. "What we regret is that we at the Commission IV broke up relations with the Education Office, which of course in the current situation is quite vulnerable, related to the new student admissions process (PPDB). If we already have communication, of course there is a solution," he said... Bali Governor Wayan Koster immediately responded to the complaint and said that the Head of Bali Province Disdikpora closed communications because many members were threatening. He explained, in the implementation of PPDB this year many Balinese actually wanted to send their children to school in the country, but the capacity was not yet possible. If private schools are empowered, the capacity is actually sufficient, it's just that the Balinese people prefer state schools. Where, it is not possible if everything is fulfilled and accommodated in public schools today.
"Gojek Presents GoService, Which Can Take Care of Motor Vehicle Tax" from Antara (Indonesian): Gojek has introduced GoService, a new service to make it easier for customers to pay taxes and administer motor vehicles. The presence of GoService is a collaboration between Gojek and JumpaPay, a professional service provider for a number of large companies that have been officially registered in several One-Stop Administration Systems (Samsat), in presenting services with the Third Party Platform business concept. "For the initial launch stage, GoService can be used in Jakarta, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi. Slowly when the product is mature we will expand it," said Head of Third Party Platform Gojek, Sony Radhityo.
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. 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.
For any questions, comments or tips, please contact us at newsletter@migrationmedia.net.