Wednesday, February 24
Govt in talks w/China to fly in 1,000 tourists in travel corridor test + Curfew lifted for food carts & restaurants' take-out orders in Badung & Jembrana + Imigrasi eyeing Russians in Bali + 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: Yesterday was pretty much status quo in Bali, Covid-wise. New cases inched up and recoveries slid but kept pace, causing the Active Cases number to stay pretty much where it's been for the last couple of days. Deaths, however, jumped back up. Month-to-date fatalities have crossed 200 and are holding their ⬆️23% pace over September's record total. Denpasar logged 128 cases yesterday, the third day in a row of 100+ new infections in the city.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"Bali Will Arrival of 1,000 Chinese Tourists, Tourism Recovering?" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): Bali will bring in 1,000 tourists from China as part of the implementation of the free covid corridor policy. Deputy Governor of Bali Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati said that the arrival of foreign tourists to Bali is still a discussion between countries because it is related to the opening of boundaries. "We see role models in several places, it is China who dares to enter, there is demand from there. We only have to get up, if we can get bigger, if we don't have a problem, why not," he said. There are a number of countries that want to travel to Bali. Like for example Russia and the Middle East. "This [China] is trying to be a pilot," he said... The certainty of bringing Chinese tourists to Bali is still waiting for the central government's decision. Until now, the timing of the implementation of the free covid corridor for Chinese tourists has yet to be ascertained. It is planned that the areas that will be visited by tourists are South Bali, Denpasar, Gianyar, and Klungkung. "The important thing is this is a small step, we take it slow first, until the others join, and we have to clean up first," he said.
"Regarding PPKM Micro Stage 2 in Badung, Eat at the Place Until 9 PM, Then Take Away" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian): "What is meant here is the operational hours when doing on-site activities. This means that when a person eats at a place, it is only allowed until 9 in the evening, but if he does take away (delivery order) please arrive at whatever time he can open his place of business. This is done in an effort to support MSMEs, especially economic growth in Badung in particular," he explained. He also added that the Jinggo rice trade which opens at night, is given the opportunity to open until any time, but after 9 o'clock no one eats on the spot, after that they take away.
"A Lot Of Trouble, Russian Citizens Become The Main Concern Of The Bali Regional Office Of Kumham" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian): Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kakanwilkumham) Bali, Jamaruli Manihuruk, said that during the Covid -19 pandemic, many foreign nationals (WNA) have not returned to their countries. From the data we have, up to now, there are around 30,000 foreigners who are still in Bali. Of that number, Russian citizens (WN) are the most. In the current condition, as a result of not being able to return to their country, many of them have committed violations and even acted up in Bali. Regarding the percentage of foreigners who frequently commit violations, because currently the most Russian citizens are in Bali, of course Russian citizens have the most violations. "In 2020, of the 157 foreigners who committed violations, more than 50% were Russian citizens. Meanwhile, in 2021, there are 30 foreigners and Russian citizens who have committed the most violations," he explained.
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Other Headlines
"The Trend of Drug Abuse Cases in Bali Is Increasing, This Month the Regional Police Uncover 64 Cases and 72 Suspects" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian): Dozens of drug abuse cases were successfully dismantled by the Bali Police's Directorate of Drug Detective during Operation Antik Agung 2021 which was held February 4-19. "There were 72 suspects arrested consisting of 68 Indonesian citizens and 4 foreign nationals (WNA) from Europe. 67 men and 5 women," said Director of the Bali Police Narcotics Detective, Kombes Pol. Mochamad Khozin, SIK, SH, MH. He said, drug abuse cases at the beginning of this year tended to increase when compared to last year.
Context: Further reporting on this operation revealed that nearly half of the drug dealing operations that have been broken up by police recently were being controlled by people or groups who are already in prison. Meanwhile, the rise in drug use is being attributed to the lack of employment opportunities and falling drug prices.
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
Denpasar: "Hotel Facilities for OTG Quarantine Were Stopped, Denpasar Makes Plans" from The IDN Times (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Creating a crowd, the Pemecutan Kaja Village Covid Task Force Disbands the Motorcycle Gang" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Conduct Control of Prokes at Gelogor Carik, a Number of Offenders Netted" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Changed Curfew in Jembrana, May Try as Long as You Don't Eat on the Spot" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Residents Still Ignoring Prokes, Traditional Villages in Klungkung Prepare Pararem" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Vaccination Update
Nation: "Covid-19 Vaccination Has Been Carried Out for 1,269,905 Health Workers" from Antara (Indonesian)
Island: "In 2 Days, 10,500 Tourism Workers in Bali Registered as Covid-19 Vaccine Recipients" from Kompas (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Bali Mandara Hospital Holds Phase II Vaccination" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
"Eco-Enzyme Liquid Reduces Garbage Odor from TPA in Bali" from Republika (Indonesian): "The liquid from the leftover vegetables and fruit from household waste that has been fermented for three months breaks down hydrogen sulfide gas which causes the waste to smell bad," said the Coordinator of the Eco-Enzyme Nusantara Community of Bali Province, Jokoryanto. He said the spraying which had been started simultaneously since Sunday (21/2) to commemorate National Waste Care Day would be carried out routinely every day for one month. Previously, his party had also conducted a trial of watering Eco-Enzyme at TPA Suwung Denpasar and all Temporary Disposal Sites in Denpasar. As a result, the smell of garbage has decreased significantly.
"2,000 Units of Electric Motorbikes Produced in Bali Will Be Available by the End of 2021" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): PT Wika Industri Manufaktur is targeting 2,000 units of battery-based electric motors produced in Jembrana Regency on land owned by Perusda Bali to be available by the end of 2021. According to the Finance Director of PT Wika Industri Manufaktur, after the production of electric vehicles runs smoothly and stably in Bali, further marketing will also be expanded outside the island, especially in eastern Indonesia. As for the charging system for this electric motorbike battery, it will be carried out by PLN Bali. This includes the procurement of a Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station (SPKLU). "We have collaborated with PLN regarding the PLN application system and the Gesits battery charging system related to IOT," he added.
"Young Mother Who Disposal of Baby Girl on Jalan Gunung Lawu Arrested" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Residents on Jalan Gunung Lawu No.11, Pemecutan Kelod, West Denpasar, Saturday afternoon (20/2) were shocked by the discovery of a baby girl in a cardboard box. The little baby with a beautiful face was found by an online motorcycle taxi (ojol) driver in a still alive condition, complete with diapers and jugs filled with placenta. A 28-year-old young woman, identified as "C.S.O." was arrested by the police in Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung, on Saturday night. "At the initial examination, she admitted that the baby in question was her son. she had come to the Foundation not far from the TKP and had visited Prima Medika Hospital," said West Denpasar Police Chief, Commissioner Doddy Monza.
Of Interest
"Starting March 1, 2021, Police in Bali Will Use Endek Every Tuesday, Especially Public Service Officers" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian)
"Less Operational Hours of Bali Ngurah Rai Airport, AirNav: Average Airplane Movement of 80 per Day" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian)
"Regarding the Location of the Airport, the Regent of Buleleng Affirms that It's the Governor Who Decides" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
"Jokowi Signs Presidential Decree, Arak Bali Traders Expect Rules to Side with Small Farmers, Not Big Business Owners" from Tribune Bali (Indonesian)
"Host of the G20 Summit, Bali Provincial Government Expects Infrastructure Development" from Bisnis 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.
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