Tuesday, March 31
Good evening! Welcome to the COVID-19 Update for Bali for Tuesday, March 31. If you find this information useful, please subscribe and share it with others in the foreigner community on the island.
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Status Update
The latest official infection numbers for Indonesia:
Sources:
Charts are from Worldometers and are current as of 00:00 GMT today.
Official updates are available from the Indonesian Government here.
**NOTE: If you are trying to plan travel anywhere, here are two 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 alerts feed into airlines' reservation systems, so it is the most reliable database of flight restrictions around.
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.
The Big News
"Bali Declares State of Emergency As Cases Climb, Local Transmission Detected" from The Jakarta Post: Bali has declared a state of emergency by imposing stricter measures on visitors in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 as cases continue to climb with local transmission detected. With the status, the famous resort island will tighten checks at entrance gates and enforce a 14-day self-quarantine for all people entering the island, the Bali administration’s regional secretary Dewa Made Indra said... The number of cases climbed 90 percent in a single day, with nine new cases on Monday, bringing the tally to 19. Among the new people who tested positive, eight are Indonesian and one is a foreign national, Dewa said. "With the status, the administration, police, Indonesian Military (TNI) and other elements can carry out stricter efforts to prevent COVID-19. This is important to give stronger protection to Bali residents," Dewa, who is also the chairman of Bali’s COVID-19 task force said on Monday.
"COVID-19 Cases On the Rise As Governor Koster Tightens Bali's Borders" from The Seminyak Times: As the number of positive Covid-19 cases rise, Governor Koster has coordinated with the Minister of Transport and the East Java and NTB provincial governments to limit visits to Bali... "With this state of emergency status, the Bali provincial government, the TNI / Polri (army and police), and other elements must make stricter efforts to strengthen the Covid-19 prevention measures,” said Bali Provincial Secretary, Dewa Made Indra, who is also the Chairperson of the Bali Province Task Force Covid-19... Dewa Indra continued, "What is now permitted to enter Bali is only logistical goods, health goods in the handling of Covid-19, as well as some personal matters that are extremely important and urgent. Beyond that, you should not go to Bali. Starting today (yesterday) restrictions have been placed on visits to Bali."
See Original & Translation of Governor's Declaration Here - From Bali Plus.
"Indonesia Orders Tighter Social Restrictions to Battle COVID-19" from Benar News: Indonesian President Joko Widodo ordered tougher and widespread social restrictions on Monday to stem the spread of COVID-19, amid warnings from health experts that the government’s current intervention policies could be setting the stage for more than 140,000 deaths by mid-May... "I'm seeking large-scale social restrictions, stricter and more disciplined and effective physical distancing," Jokowi said at the start of his cabinet meeting. "And this needs to be accompanied by civil emergency measures."
"All Attractions In Badung Are Totally Closed Up to May 29" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): All tourist sites in Badung Regency have been closed. This is part of the general shut down of businesses to stop the spread of Covid-19. Attractions that are closed include coastal sites to tourist villages. "That's for all tourism areas. Starting from the beach to village tourism areas throughout Badung," explained Badung Kasatpol I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, on Tuesday... This has been done in response to the Governor's call to increase measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus, and the closures will extend until until May 29.
"President Joko Widodo Against Lockdown Out Of Fear Of Chaos Like In India, Italy: Spokesman" from Coconuts: President Joko Widodo has been steadfast in his refusal to implement a nationwide or provincial lockdown despite loud calls from experts in the country, having ordered yesterday the implementation of “large-scale social restriction” and, potentially, civil emergency policies to contain the spread of the coronavirus... The Jakarta Provincial Government had reportedly requested that the province be placed under regional quarantine — akin to a provincial lockdown — given that the capital is the epicenter of COVID-19 outbreak in the country. The central government, which has the final say on all lockdown decisions, refused the request.
"President Asks for Periodic Review of Policies Regarding Foreign Citizens Crossing Through Indonesia" from The Bali Post (Indonesian): The president has asked for policies related to the crossings of foreigners) in Indonesia to be evaluated regularly. "Regarding the crossing of foreign citizens, I ask that the policies governing crossing of foreigners in Indonesia be evaluated regularly, to anticipate the movement of COVID-19 from other countries," he said... "I have received reports that every day there are approximately 3,000 migrant workers returning from Malaysia. In addition to migrant workers in Malaysia, we also have to anticipate the return of the transportation crews; we estimate that there are approximately 10,000-11,000 still to return. It also needs to be prepared and planned stages for screening them," he explained.
Other Headlines
"With Tourism Sluggish, Bali's Agricultural Sector Becomes Mainstay" from KOMPAS.com (Indonesian): The Head of the Bali Institute of Agricultural Technology, I Made Rai Yasa, said that the sluggish tourism sector in Bali has made agriculture a major focus... "While the health fighters and the whole community are struggling to overcome the corona virus pandemic, farmers in Bali are also struggling to maintain our food security," Made said.
"Netizens Outraged As Members Of Bali's Regional Council Get Tested for COVID-19" from Coconuts: Dozens of members of Bali’s Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) have taken it upon themselves to represent the people and undergo rapid testing for the novel coronavirus, sparking sarcastic comments and criticism from local residents across social media platforms.
"BI Bali Quarantine Cash Before Distribution" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): The Bali Province Regional Representative Office ensured people today that cash distributed to the public has gone through special processing to minimize the spread of Covid-19... Specific treatment includes quarantine for 14 days in the treasury or a special storage room, then it is sprayed with disinfectant liquid. Deputy Head of Bank Indonesia Representative (KPwBI Bali) Rizki Ernadi Wimanda said Monday.
"Tourism Industry In Ubud Plummets, UHA Requests That Electricity Rates Be Lowered to Zero" from The Bali Post (Indonesian): "Almost all tourism actors are currently resting. If the electrical substation monitering & metering costscan be negated, all of that is very helpful," said Chairman of the Ubud Hotel Association (UHSA) Gede Karilo, on Tuesday... Reducing electric power is indeed one solution to reduce the operational burden of hotels which are quiet. Therefore, his party had complained to PLN, but it had not produced results that could really help... PLN is ready to help in reducing the burden for free, but when tourism conditions recover to increase power will be charged. "Right now, many hotels have their own substations, so the costs are separate. Well, if the burden can be reduced it would be better," he hoped.
"McDonald's to Halt Dine-in Service At All Indonesia Stores Starting April 1" from Coconuts: McDonald’s Indonesia is stopping its dine-in service at all stores throughout the archipelago for two weeks as businesses in the country continue to be affected by the COVID-19 outbreak... The popular fast food chain announced on social media yesterday that, starting April 1, only its take away, drive-thru, and home delivery services will be available during the period.
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