Tuesday, July 28
Recoveries soaring, cured rate nears 80% + Edu Minister promises rules for schools outside Green Zones to conduct face-to-face learning + Tabanan Hospital adds testing capacity + more!
Good morning! Welcome to the COVID-19 Update for Bali for Tuesday, July 28. 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, the rumored/leaked Circular regarding changes to the extension process & new visa issuance policy for Emergency Stay Permits has still not been published on the Directorate of Immigration’s website, nor on its social media accounts. As such, its contents should not be considered to be final + it is still technically not legal and local officials are not bound by it. (In fact, they are prohibited from following its dictates.) I will continue to monitor the media & official channels for more information and will post news of the final document here once it’s available. In the meantime, you can check for updates during the day by checking imigrasi.go.id or by following Immigration on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
"Numbers of Patients Recovering Soars, More Than Double That of Confirmed Cases of Covid-19" from Bali Plus: Based on the Covid-19 Task Force report in Bali on Sunday (7/26), numbers of patients recovering was almost twice that of the confirmed cases of Covid-19. “81 people were declared recovered today, cumulatively bringing total recoveries to 2,489 people” said Dewa Made Indra, Chairperson of the Bali Covid-19 Task Force... Confirmed cases of Covid-19 increased by 43 people or cumulatively to 3,157 people. Official deaths remained steady at 48. At present, the province of Bali is still treating 620 confirmed cases, consisting of 616 Indonesian citizens and 4 foreign nationals. Active cases are being treated in 17 hospitals, and quarantined at local health centers and hotels. (Ed. Note: Monday's positive cases vs. recovery figures, 62 & 81, respectively, continues this trend of reducing Bali's active caseload. As noted in the chart above, as of yesterday, the total number of active cases was 601- the lowest that it's been in a month, when it was 607 on June 27.)
"Doni Monardo: Students Will Soon Return to School, These Requirements Must Be Fulfilled" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian): Responding to the needs of students who lack internet access and are unable to participate in distance learning, Head of the couontry's Covid-19 Task Force, Doni Monardo, said that the government would give permission to conduct face-to-face schools outside of Covid-19 green zones. According to Doni, the granting of this permit will soon be announced by the Ministry of Education and Culture... However, confirming that distance learning applied is effective in prevent Covid-19 transmission, Doni stressed that face-to-face schools outside green zones must be held on a limited basis. That is, the number of students who attend one class is also limited. The duration of learning in class is also shortened.
"PCR Machine Arrives at Tabanan Hospital, Can Check 108 Samples per Day" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): The machine has been received by Tabanan Hospital and is currently in the process of fulfilling supporting facilities. If there are no obstacles, Tabanan Regional Hospital will conduct a PCR examination independently within the next two weeks... Director of Tabanan Hospital, Dr. Nyoman Susila, said the PCR machine assistance from the Bali Provincial Government had been received since last Friday. Now the task of Tabanan Hospital is to prepare the room, supporting facilities, and human resources. "For the room we have prepared in the former cooperative room and our human resources have microbiology specialist doctors," Susila said.
Other Headlines
"Kasatpol PP Rai Darmadi: If There Is Anything, JRX Must Be Responsible" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Kasatpol PP Bali, Dewa Nyoman Rai Darmadi, deplored the demonstration of rejecting the rapid test and swab test in Renon, Denpasar, Sunday (26/7). According to him, the action violated the health protocol. Where the demonstrators do not wear masks and do not keep a distance. He also considers the drummer from the band Superman Is Dead, JRX, as reponsible for any infections that are traced to the march, as he has invited others not to obey the rules of health protocol. "Yes, hopefully nothing will happen. If in case it happens, then JRX will be responsible. Why does he invite people to disobey it?" Rai Darmadi said.
"Indonesia says It Will Lend More to Regions to Support Economy" from Reuters: Indonesia is placing 11.5 trillion rupiah ($793 million) in state funds with some regional development banks and extending loans to provincial governments to support economic recovery amid the pandemic, the finance minister said on Monday. Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the programme is a follow-up to the 30 trillion rupiah allocated to state lenders which carries similar requirements and targets... The funds will be placed with regional development banks in the capital Jakarta and the provinces of West Java, Central Java, East Java, and North Sulawesi. The government is also considering fund placements at regional development banks in Bali and Yogyakarta provinces.
The View from Outside
"Indonesia Kindergarten Explores New Ways to Teach Over Pandemic" from Reuters: As schools struggle to keep pupils engaged during the pandemic, a kindergarten on Indonesia’s Java island is getting pupils back in the classroom using makeshift transparent cubicles and also sending teachers on home visits with social distancing barriers... Accompanied by parents, the children sit within protective boxes made using plastic sheets that are disinfected after each classroom session to get guidance to direct their learning. “The transparent box is one of our commitments for prioritising health protocols,” said headmistress Hindarwati. Everyone attending the school is required to wear a mask, face shield, gloves and have temperature checks.
Non-Covid News of Note
"Denpasar Roadsides Off-Limits to Traders" from Bali Discovery: The Denpasar, Bali Transportation Department has undertaken an operation along Jalan Iman Bonjol, giving formal warning to 44 local traders operating their businesses from trucks parked along the roadway. I Ketut Sriawan, the Head of the Transportation Department, explained that the traders are asked to please bear in mind that the shoulder of Jalan Iman Bonjol should not function as a marketplace... The 44 traders were instructed to contact those in charge of the public markets in Denpasar to secure a proper place to conduct their trading activities. The traders also have the option of distributing or consigning their goods to existing traders in local markets in Denpasar. Sriawan added: “In this way, there will be no more traders operating from motor vehicles on the City of Denpasar’s roadways.”
"Operation Obedient Lempuyang: Police Seize Tens of Vehicles Without Paperwork" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The Bali Police Ditlantas again held Operation Obedient Lempuyang. This time the operation took place on Prof. Moh. Yamin, Renon, Denpasar, Monday morning. During the operation, police found 10 violations by motorists. Some of them do not have a motorized vehicle registration, so they don't wear helmets and underage drivers. "There are also those who do not carry a vehicle certificate at all. So we confiscated the vehicle," explained the Head of Ops Directorate of Bali Police, AKBP Ida Bagus Jembariawan, Monday.
"Buleleng's Drought Status Downgraded, 3 Regencies Enter 'Alert' Level" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): After the city of Denpasar entered the level of "Drought Alert," now the Center for Meteorological Climatology and Geophysics (BBMKG) is categorizing three other districts - namely Bangli, Karangasem, and Klungkung - into the "Alert" level. This was triggered because the three regions have not seen rain for 20 to 30 days. Meanwhile, Buleleng's "Impending" status has come down to "Alert" level because the region has recently received rain... Iman Fatchurochman, Head of the Data and Information Division of BBMKG Region III Denpasar, said, "A number of areas on the island have been categorized as being in an 'Alert' status based on indicators of days without rain or series of dry days that vary between 21 to 30 days."
"Koster Promises Toll Projects, Electric Vehicles and State High Schools" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Although in the Covid-19 pandemic, infrastructure projects initiated by Bali Governor Wayan Koster continue to be accelerated. One of the issues being discussed is infrastructure development in Jembrana Regency. Among these are the construction of the Gilimanuk-Denpasar toll road. The construction of the toll road will be carried out according to schedule according to the commitment of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), Basuki Hadimuljono... In addition to the Denpasar - Gilimanuk toll road, Governor Koster said he would build a battery-based electric vehicle and solar panel in Jembrana. "We will also build a state high school in Jembrana," concluded Governor Koster.
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.
For any questions, comments or tips, please contact us at newsletter@migrationmedia.net.