Wednesday, November 4
Govt official warns that decline in Covid cases could be due to testing slowdown over holiday + Bali ports handle 88,000 visitors over weekend + Blasphemy protests rock Denpasar + 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: Click here to see the national numbers infographic, trend charts, and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers in our evening update.
The Big News
"Data Withheld Over Long Weekend Explains Indonesia’s Drop in COVID-19 Cases: Health Ministry" from Coconuts: With the recent decline [in positive Covid-19 cases being met with a degree of suspicion, the Health Ministry has all but confirmed that it was the result of an undercount caused by the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday long weekend last week. “We suspect that there are a number of specimens that have had their examinations delayed,” said Alexander Kaliaga Ginting Suka, a special staffer at the Health Ministry’s Development and Financing Department, referring mostly to test samples from provinces outside of Jakarta. “So it’s not that the samples weren’t taken or sent, but it’s their reports that have been delayed.” True enough, specimens tested during the long weekend dropped significantly to 34,317 on Oct. 29, 24,854 on Oct. 30, 29.001 on Oct. 31, 23,208 on Nov. 1, and 26,661 on Nov. 2. By comparison, 40,572 specimens were tested on Oct. 28.
(Ed. Note: There has not been a statement yet from Bali’s Provincial Government about whether the drop in daily cases over the last week has been due to reduced testing and/or delayed processing brought on by the long holiday. However, some government officials seem to be preparing the public for a spike in positive cases. Dewa Gede Rai, Spokesperson for Denpasar’s Covid-19 Task Force, said yesterday that he was “concerned” about a possible increase in the numbers of cases because of what happened after past holidays in March and August, and because there were many observed instances of crowds with no social distancing over the past weekend.)
"[Over 88,000 Visitors Cross Into Bali via Ferry Over Holiday;] Rapid Test Results for 51 Passengers Entering Bali Via Gilimanuk Reactive" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): The final tally for entries to Bali via ferry over the holiday weekend was 88,069. 83,972 crossed at Gilimanuk Port, while 4,097 came through Padang Bai Port. The total number of vehicles processed across both facilities was 31,938... According to Nyoman Sunarya, Head of the Road Traffic Division of the Bali Transportation Service, 3,271 rapid tests were recorded at the entrance to Gilimanuk Port and 51 passengers were declared reactive. For passengers whose test results were reactive, those with a Bali KTP were asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. If the traveler had a KTP from outside Bali, they were advised to return to their home area.
"Hundreds Protest Against Bali DPD Member Accused of Blasphemy Against Hinduism" from Coconuts: Hundreds of people in Bali today took to the streets to protest against Arya Wedakarna (AWK), a member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) who has been accused of insulting Hinduism, among other allegations of controversial statements. The controversy surrounding AWK was reportedly sparked by a video that has circulated widely, wherein the politician allegedly misidentified a god as simply a “divine” being... Even though the statement was reportedly made between 2017 and 2018, a clip has gone viral recently, triggering a protest at the DPD building in Denpasar last week. AWK alleged that he was assaulted during the protest. Last week’s protest was followed by another large protest today.
>> Classifieds <<
Community is so important- especially in times like these. If you’re looking to connect with the community of dedicated, engaged foreigners in Bali who’ve stayed during this pandemic, you can reach them with a classified ad in this space. Check out this page to find out how.
Other Headlines
"Klungkung Hospital Can Imminently Handle Independent PCR Tests" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): A number of equipment for the PCR test process has begun to be imported to Klungkung Hospital, Monday. However, there are still other equipment that will follow this Sunday. The PCR tool was obtained from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), with a budget of up to IDR 2.8 billion. The tool has a capacity of 96 swab checks a day. "When all the equipment arrives, we are ready to carry out the PCR test at the Klungkung Regional Hospital," said the Director of the Klungkung Regional Hospital, Dr. Nyoman Kesuma.
"Rates and Conditions for the Independent Swab Test at the Tabanan Bali Hospital" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): The Head of the Service Control Team in the COVID-19 Pandemic at Tabanan Hospital, Dr. I Wayan Duta Krisna SpMK, said, "Currently, the independent swab test service is more focused on people who want to travel or have official needs," said Duta. The independent swab test, said Krisna, is adjusted to the price set by the government. The Tabanan Regional Hospital has set an independent swab test fee of IDR 889,000, including the Communication, Information and Education (IEC) test at the Medical Check Up (MCU). People who want to undergo an independent swab test at the Tabanan Regional Hospital can register in two ways. Namely online via the WhatsApp (WA) number 081 909 009 544, or come directly to the MCU at Tabanan Hospital. MCU registration service opens from 08.00 WITA. For those who register via WA, the sampling schedule will usually be given once 24 hours.
"Jokowi Signs Controversial Job Creation Law" from The Jakarta Globe: he head of state officially enacted the bill as the 2020 Law on Job Creation despite public opposition. The presidential spokesman Fadjroel Rachman confirmed the news of the law's enactment of which he finds important for the country's future. "This Job Creation Law is for all Indonesian people and the future of Indonesia moving forward," Fadjroel said on Tuesdayu.
(Ed. Note: The massive new law contains many provisions. One of which may make it easier for foreigners to be hired in the country. Click here for a rundown of how the process has been streamlined.)
"Bali Included In New 'Tracing' Strengthening Program in 51 Priority Regencies / Cities" from Berita Bali (Indonesian): The COVID-19 Task Force has launched the Tracing Strengthening Program. This effortwill recruit contact tracer volunteers and data managers in 51 Districts / Cities in 10 Priority Provinces, namely Aceh, North Sumatra, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali, South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi and Papua. The program aims to increase the number of tracer personnel at Puskesmas, and data officers to carry out epidemiological analysis in Regencies / Cities. A total of 1612 Puskesmas are the target of adding 8,060 tracers throughout Indonesia.
"September Bali Exports and Imports Performance Increase Month to Month" from The Bali Tribune (Indonesian): The Bali Provincial Statistics Agency said that the value of Bali Province exports of goods abroad in September was recorded to have increased by 13.78% (mtm), from US$33,807,208 in August to US$38,465,302. When compared to September 2019 (yoy), the export value of Bali goods in September 2020 was recorded to have decreased by -14.96%. Cumulatively, the export value of goods from Bali Province for the January-September 2020 period was recorded at US$332,152,226, down -23.77% compared to the same period in 2019 which was recorded at US$435,732,787.
"Prosecutors Demand 3 Years for Drummer Jerinx in IDI Defamation Case" from The Jakarta Post: Prosecutors are seeking a three-year prison sentence for musician I Gede Ari Astina, who goes by the stage name Jerinx, who is on trial at the Denpasar District Court in Bali for defamation against the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI). “[We demand] defendant I Gede Ary Astina, alias Jerinx, to be sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of Rp 10 million [US$685] in lieu of three months in prison,” prosecutor Otong Hendra Rahayu said on Tuesday as reported by kompas.com. He added that the defendant had caused public unrest and hurt the feelings of doctors across the country on the frontlines of the coronavirus health emergency.
"Denpasar Prosecutor's Office Destroys 92 Tons of Ammonium Nitrate Confiscated by the State" from The IDN Times (Indonesian): The destruction of 92 tons of state booty of ammonium nitrate (explosives) by the Denpasar District Attorney (Kejari) was carried out on Tuesday on Biaung Beach, Kesiman Kertalangu Village, East Denpasar District. This is the second time this extermination was carried out on Karimun Island. The smuggled material is suspected to be used for fish bombs... The entire ammonium nitrate is stockpiled at the Class 1 State Confiscated Objects Storage House (Rupbasan) Denpasar. "Because it had been stored for quite a long time since 2017 in Denpasar Class 1 and since the case in Lebanon, finally this case must be accelerated and must be destroyed immediately," Luhur Istighfar, head of the Denpasar Kejari.
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.
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This newsletter is a product of Migration Media, the hub for stories from and about the international migrant experience.
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