Coronavirus news Indonesia

For those people, expats and Indonesians, who are not very concerned by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are some very interesting offers to be found at hotels around the country.

I took a look at hotels in Kuta, Bali and some were offering as much 92% discount, especially with longer term stays. However, due to so many of the hotels being quite empty at the moment, I would recommend calling the hotel directly and negotiating a super deal inclusive of breakfast and perhaps airport pick up. If you do choose to take a risk and go on holiday, then be sure to bring plenty of wet wipes, masks and hand sanitizer.

For those who prefer to stay in Ubud, lots of great deals there too, although the discounts seem generally to be less than in Kuta.

tiganasfx wrote:

Seems like new cdc guidelines. Wear a mask, even a cloth mask. If everyone do this it will hamper the spreading.

Purpose of the mask is not to stop you catching the virus but to stop you giving it to someone. But if everyone does that, it will stop you catching it too.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.livesc … virus.html

That's exactly right. A couple months ago they were saying that only people with the virus should wear masks to stop others from getting infected. But then someone with a brain realized that that theory only works if you've been tested and proved to be infected. So all those people who hadn't yet been tested, and may or may not have been a carrier with mild symptoms but didn't realize it, were probably passing on the virus to others. That's another reason why I doubt the seriousness of the WHO. In fact, it is very often the average GP or doctor who gives the best advice because they are facing the problems of Covid-19 daily.

Shill88 wrote:

For those people, expats and Indonesians, who are not very concerned by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are some very interesting offers to be found at hotels around the country.

I took a look at hotels in Kuta, Bali ... <snipped total crap>

Yes, travel and potentially spreading the virus is a great idea. As troll posts go, this is a really poor attempt as it's so obviously rubbish

1/10 - Must try harder

Fred wrote:

Shill88 wrote:

For those people, expats and Indonesians, who are not very concerned by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are some very interesting offers to be found at hotels around the country.

I took a look at hotels in Kuta, Bali ... <snipped total crap>

Yes, travel and potentially spreading the virus is a great idea. As troll posts go, this is a really poor attempt as it's so obviously rubbish

1/10 - Must try harder

FYI, anyone can go to Agoda or Traveloka or any other hotel booking website, type in Kuta, Bali as a destination and see almost every hotel offering massive discounts. This is a fact. Furthermore, the official count of Covid-19 cases in Bali is relatively low and also realize that there are actually lots of tourists in Indonesia at this moment, many of which are stranded. Some of those tourists are unable to depart the country be it due to lack of flights or their home countries blocking all incoming flights, they can get the free extension to their visas without having to visit immigration, and will be looking for somewhere not expensive to stay. My post is relevant irrespective of what you may think.

And can you please stop attacking me as you seem to be turning into an online bully!

Please leave me alone!

Shill88 wrote:

FYI, anyone can go to Agoda or Traveloka or any other hotel booking website, type in Kuta, Bali as a destination and see almost every hotel offering massive discounts. This is a fact.

And can you please stop attacking me as you seem to be turning into an online bully!

Please leave me alone!

Not attacking you, just the dangerous rubbish you're posting. I assume you aren't stupid enough to think travel of that nature is a reasonable idea, so it can only be a poor quality troll job.

FYI, there are lots of tourists in Indonesia at the moment, some are stranded and looking for somewhere inexpensive to stay. A lot are already in Bali, some might be local or expat people living in Bali who might want to benefit from this. But many who cannot leave Indonesia REALLY NEED TO FIND SOMEWHERE INEXPENSIVE TO STAY. Gosh, this thread is becoming the world according to Fred and attack anyone who has a different opinion. Pack it in Fred.

Shill88 wrote:

FYI, there are lots of tourists in Indonesia at the moment, some are stranded and looking for somewhere inexpensive to stay. A lot are already in Bali, some might be local or expat people living in Bali who might want to benefit from this. But many who cannot leave Indonesia REALLY NEED TO FIND SOMEWHERE INEXPENSIVE TO STAY. Gosh, this thread is becoming the world according to Fred and attack anyone who has a different opinion. Pack it in Fred.

You appear to be guilty of a terminological inexactitude

Shill88 wrote:

For those people, expats and Indonesians, who are not very concerned by the Covid-19 pandemic, .

A lot of foreign tourists are stranded in Bali. Some are still trying to leave but many are resigned to staying in Bali. The massive discounts offered by so many hotels that can be seen on hotel booking websites such as Agoda and Traveloka offer some respite since many of those tourists have a very limited budget.

https://www.voanews.com/science-health/ … -indonesiahttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/as … story.html

This story is circulating in a lot of papers

https://www.suara.com/news/2020/04/05/1 … luar-rumah

It's in Indonesian so some may not understand the content, but it's a government spokesman telling of an order for all to wear reusable, washable, cloth facemasks when outside.

As luck has it, my wife picked some up mail order, the items arriving yesterday morning.

BIN have released a scenario. As with all such pictures, there are a whole host of factors that could alter the actual outcome, so it's probably worth doing everything reasonable to see their predictions are avoided.

https://hot.grid.id/amp/182090594/kian- … iapkan-ini

News on wearing masks: "Indonesia Require All Residents to Wear Fabric Masks when Out of the House":

https://translate.google.co.id/translat … rev=search

Also due to the general shortage of N95 and surgical masks not just in Indonesia bit apparently worldwide, people are being asked to wear cloth masks.

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/202 … -says.html

Back to facemasks

Transjakarta have issued a rules compelling all passengers to wear one

https://en.tempo.co/read/1328125/covid- … face-masks

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Transportation Jakarta (Transjakarta) requires all passengers to use face masks when using public transportation services to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 starting next week, Sunday (12/4).

Bali is reporting massive revenue loss due to a lack of tourists

https://en.tempo.co/read/1327977/covid- … y-official

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The tourism industry in the Indonesian resort island of Bali has been hit hard by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, with arrivals of domestic and foreign tourists plunging sharply over the past few months, an official revealed....
...The lack of visitors has made job opportunities scarce for tourist guides in the resort island, he said, adding that the gloomy situation would hopefully end in May.

According to the Bali Office of Statistics Indonesia (BPS), in February, 2020, the resort island welcomed 363,937 foreign travelers, a decline of 31.19 percent compared to January.

Hardly surprising as unnecessary travel would be a very silly idea and most people have the brains to realise it

Actually you are right. Many of the smarter tourists in places like Bali left in February and March while they still could. I know there were lots of unhappy travelers who were concerned about whether they could get refunds by canceling their flights and hotel bookings before embarking on their holidays in Indonesia. Some were unsuccessful but still managed to get a hotel credit valid for a year while others unfortunately seem to be getting no response from the hotels where they booked. Also hotel booking sites like Agoda are inundated with calls so not everyone is able to get through.

However, there were still lots and lots of die hard travelers who thought that due to the low number of reported Covid-19 cases in Bali that it would be safe to travel and that they would take their chances. Some managed to return home while others are stuck and having to extend under the free extension that immigration is offering (no need to go to immigration to do this) and luckily with so many hotels offering longer term massive discounts are able to manage.

https://en.tempo.co/read/1328258/jakart … n-april-12

Commuterline has follow suit so will require facemasks

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-commuter line operator PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (PT KCI) is set to impose a rule on April 12 requiring passengers to wear face masks in KCI-managed stations and trains. This is one of many attempts adopted by the operator to prevent the spread of coronavirus

The government has not banned mudik, but the proposed restrictions are restrictive.

https://en.antaranews.com/news/145470/g … ring-mudik

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is compiling a guidebook that will become a standard operation procedure to implement physical distancing for passengers in an effort to limit the number of travelers during the Idul Fitr 2020 homecoming exodus (locally called "mudik") amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The guidebook publication involved the Ministry of Transportation, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, the Indonesian National Police, and other relevant institutions or agencies. Public hearings will be held before the guidebook is launched.

"The steps and regulations in force will be valid for two months, until the end of the outbreak and will be reviewed regularly," Deputy for Infrastructure and Transportation Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment Ridwan Djamaluddin said in a statement here on Sunday.

Although the government does not prohibit "mudik" for Idul Fitr Islamic Festivity this year, the government will implement various tightening policies for people who return to their hometowns, one of which is physical distancing measure.

The physical distancing among others is done by reducing the capacity of passengers, both using public and private vehicles.

"Public and private transportation are needed to implement physical distancing . As for public transportation by raising the price of public transport tickets. For example, a bus with a capacity of 50 can only accommodate 25 people, the ticket price is raised," he said.

Ridwan said that private vehicle policies, such as motorbikes, cannot carry passengers. As for private cars, it must carry a maximum of half of its passenger capacity.

"All of these actions will be strictly enforced by the police and the Ministry of Transportation," he said.

In addition, people who return to their hometowns are required to carry out independent isolation for 14 days upon arrival in their villages and 14 days after returning to Jakarta or other cities.

In this case, local governments are required to establish the required healthcare facilities.

"With these steps, the number of people returning to their hometowns this year is estimated to be low," Ridwan said.

How do travelers know corona virus is low in bali ?  the published figures mean little here ,imho they risk stressing an already weak health system by being on this island .


https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1328220/ … ll?view=ok

scouser59 wrote:

How do travelers know corona virus is low in bali ?  the published figures mean little here ,imho they risk stressing an already weak health system by being on this island .

BNPB and everyone else know the numbers are well out, but that's all they have to work on. Rapid test kits give you some idea but are prone to false positives and false negatives, so a rough 'maybe' is the best you can hope for.
It's supposed (by some) the virus is limited on Bali, but nobody can be sure so it's a bit silly to travel there unless it's necessary. Some news reports are claiming a small number of tourists are still visiting (including Australians), but visas have been stopped means that's less likely now. I've seen lots of ads for hotels all over Indonesia but I have no interest in any at the moment as travel outside my home area would be less than a good idea, and I restrict local travel to places I know there will be few people around.

One of the reasons (but not the main reason) I left my last company is the boss is a bloody idiot that insists on group meetings in Jakarta - I told him exactly what I thought of his moronic stupidity, and that was about that. I have no wish to work for a cretin that advises, and even tries to force, out of area travel when it isn't absolutely required. I may well be Indonesian now, but I still have my rough Yorkshire upbringing, and that dictates I tell utter morons exactly what I think of them.
It didn't go down well, but stuff the idiot.

Travelers don't know for certain, but many of them follow whatever information is released by the authorities. Unfortunately, many of those take it as gospel. As you probably already know Bali has closed many attractions, done widespread disinfecting and advise people to remain at home. We all know that the figures are not realistic but that didn't stop a lot of people from coming.

But still, if you compare the official figures in Jakarta and West Java, they are a lot lot higher than those for Bali.

And, yes, when those tourists are not self isolating then they risk getting infected. As far as I know, there are four hospitals in Bali capable of handling patients with Covid-19. I am not sure if Bali is already equipped to carry out tests themselves, but agree that should a lot of tourists get infected with this virus then the hospitals will have a difficult time of handling it.

tiganasfx wrote:

Seems like new cdc guidelines. Wear a mask, even a cloth mask. If everyone do this it will hamper the spreading.

Purpose of the mask is not to stop you catching the virus but to stop you giving it to someone. But if everyone does that, it will stop you catching it too.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.livesc … virus.html

In general i would agree to a certain extent but like i have said previously, so many people have no idea how to use face masks or indeed if any good
If by chance people are able to get hold of decent face masks or home made they is a simple test to see how effective or not your new face covering is, ask a friend to hold up the mask with two hands to simulate it is being worn (at arms lengh)  and from a distamce of about 4" a short burst from a areosol can to see how your sneezing or cough exits the material
Times have moved on with the above but the above was the gold standard way back for training with ppe, if worn for an extended period say about two hours they become wet and are useless
Again i dont reccommend you spraying anything and everthing its your choice

This is good news

https://en.tempo.co/read/1328272/corona … ars-hoaxes

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri) has officially issued a telegram containing law-enforcement guidelines in handling criminal activities amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.


The official telegram was signed by Head of the Criminal Investigation Agency, Comm. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo on April 4.

The three main violations that police’s cyber patrol will monitor include the spread of coronavirus-related hoaxes, anti-government and anti-president smears, and online frauds regarding the sales of health equipment.

Criminal Code (KUHP) 207 will be used against those who commit defamation against the president and state-ministers while health equipment frauds will be charged under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE).

This is interesting reading, particularly the part about Indonesia when you scroll further down.

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-testing

With the exception of Iceland and its massive population of 364,000, no country has managed to test much more than 1% of its population - then consider a negative test could easily be positive tomorrow.
Apart from the small numbers of those infected that have serious symptoms, or are important/self important enough to get tested, most people will never know they've had the disease so the reality for the vast majority is they'll catch it, feel grim for a few days, then get better without so much as a vitamin tablet.
As for those bashing the Indonesian government over low testing numbers (not doing the impossible and pointless) that's really not good as our president's calm, careful, and sensible approach is easily the best way to get through this.
The tests, outside medical need, are a total waste of time, only used by politicians out for political gain, web rants, and trolls out to make a point.
We should all follow the advice as laid out by the Indonesian government and all will be well in time, so I'll take this opportunity to thank Pak Jokowi and his people for doing a great job. 

Fred wrote:

This is good news

https://en.tempo.co/read/1328272/corona … ars-hoaxes

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri) has officially issued a telegram containing law-enforcement guidelines in handling criminal activities amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.


The official telegram was signed by Head of the Criminal Investigation Agency, Comm. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo on April 4.

The three main violations that police’s cyber patrol will monitor include the spread of coronavirus-related hoaxes, anti-government and anti-president smears, and online frauds regarding the sales of health equipment.

Criminal Code (KUHP) 207 will be used against those who commit defamation against the president and state-ministers while health equipment frauds will be charged under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE).

The President of Indonesia and all the ministers are doing a terrific job.

Shill88 wrote:

Fred wrote:

Shill88 wrote:

For those people, expats and Indonesians, who are not very concerned by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are some very interesting offers to be found at hotels around the country.

I took a look at hotels in Kuta, Bali ... <snipped total crap>

Yes, travel and potentially spreading the virus is a great idea. As troll posts go, this is a really poor attempt as it's so obviously rubbish

1/10 - Must try harder

FYI, anyone can go to Agoda or Traveloka or any other hotel booking website, type in Kuta, Bali as a destination and see almost every hotel offering massive discounts. This is a fact. Furthermore, the official count of Covid-19 cases in Bali is relatively low and also realize that there are actually lots of tourists in Indonesia at this moment, many of which are stranded. Some of those tourists are unable to depart the country be it due to lack of flights or their home countries blocking all incoming flights, they can get the free extension to their visas without having to visit immigration, and will be looking for somewhere not expensive to stay. My post is relevant irrespective of what you may think.

And can you please stop attacking me as you seem to be turning into an online bully!
Please leave me alone!

Maybe u dont realize that Bali is closed to all the tourists, only national residents and Kitas/Kitap holder are allowed to fly in, and after arrived they must quarantine in specially predisposte structures.
There are not tourists stranded here, if they stay its just their choice because all the Countries are organizinig emergency flights to bring back home their citizens
About the small number of reported infected  and died people from covid-19, its simply because there are very few test done and most balinese people dont go to the hospital, they get sick, recover or die at home, many villages doubled the funerals in the last month, but the sanitary system is the same close to collapse, and the governor is taking more restrictive misures, as close all the beaches (and guess who try to find a way to go inside despite the prohibition? Bule, of course), limit the hours of opening of the shops, and now three days of a "new Nyepi" in the days 18-19-20 april, wich seems a bit pointless but better than nothing.

This just in...but perhaps no surprise.

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/202 … -rate.html

For those living or currently staying in Bali:

The State News Agency Antara reports that the Council of Traditional Villages in Bali (MDA) and the Hindu Dharma Council (PHDI-Bali) are planning to declare an extraordinary island-wide 'Traditional Village New Year' (Nyepi –Nipeng Desa Adat) 18 – 20 April 2020 to accelerate the elimination of COVID-19 on the Island.

https://balidiscovery.com/news/within-t … of-silence

Reports say Jakarta will impose strict rules

https://en.tempo.co/read/1328852/jakart … estriction

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Reports suggest that Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto has officially signed Jakarta’s proposal to subject the city with large-scale social restriction protocol or PSBB in a program to accelerate the city’s COVID-19 mitigation.

The signed decree to impose the PSBB was signed by Minister Terawan today on April 7, which according to the copy Tempo received, must impose the statutory provisions consistently and push the public to apply a hygienic lifestyle.

This will effectively order Jakarta to impose the PSBB for a length of the coronavirus incubation period with additional extension if proof of additional spread is found.

Online ride apps and taxis

https://en.tempo.co/read/1328797/ylki-r … passengers

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) deems the ban for motorcycle taxi services to pick up passengers during the PSBB, or large-scale social restriction is understandable amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

YLKI chairperson Tulus Abadi said it is a difficult ban to be imposed but must be adhered to as it is for the wellbeing of both the passenger and driver. The ban on carrying passengers is overseen under the Health Ministry’s decree No.9/2020.

“There is no other choice to avert from further transmitting the virus,” said Tulus on Monday, April 6. Online motorcycle taxi drivers are now limited to only provide courier and food delivery services.

Meanwhile, representing the drivers’ side, the Two-Wheel Action Movement (Garda) leader Igun Wicaksono said that the policy will have a severe impact on the online motorcycle taxi drivers’ income. He said that dropping-off passengers remain one of the many aspects that contribute largely to a driver’s income.

This is very likely to spread to a lot more places than Jakarta, and already has to a level. A lot of small villages have put up gates or other barriers, and locked them to stop vehicles entering. I can see this being a popular idea.

https://en.tempo.co/read/1328966/covid- … ood-police

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Central Jakarta Resort Police intensified a new program dubbed Polisi RW or Neighborhood Police that is specifically mobilized to conduct surveillance and security in a community area during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Polisi RW is a new program initiated by Central Jakarta Police. It seems there is no such program in other regions. The officers are tasked to enforce the national police’s order for the COVID-19 handling and prevention,” said Central Jakarta Police spokesman Adj. Comr. Suwatno on Tuesday, April 7.

Suwatno explained the program was a collaboration with the community figures and Community Unit leaders in Central Jakarta, and it has been running recently.

“We have mobilized Resort Police members as Polisi RW personnel. It has been actively running, but it needs to be optimized,” he added.

The neighborhood police officers are tasked to disperse crowds and monitor the self-isolation areas to make them sterile from the public. It is different from Babinkamtibmas that consisted of police officers assigned to villages as advisors on security and public order.

This Good Friday April 10

https://m.medcom.id/english/national/PN … artnership

Jakarta's new rules are coming into play (an extension of the post above)

https://jakartaglobe.id/news/jakarta-to … estriction

Jakarta. The Indonesian capital Jakarta begins to implement "large-scale social restriction" on Tuesday after Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto grants the city government the power to enforce the policy in an effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The restriction, known as PSBB in the 2018 Law on Health Quarantine, is an epidemic containment measures a step below total area lockdown.

Some economic activities would still be allowed to go on under PSBB, but schools and offices would be closed, public transportation restricted, while religious congregations and other mass-gatherings would be banned.

There's potential for big trouble here if some of the more 'interesting' groups try to defy this. One hopes they put common sense before their politics.

Some tips for exercising at home during the Coronavirus pandemic. I see some people jogging around the cluster most mornings, but I prefer to exercise at home. That's not me in the photo.

https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/202 … d&pg=/

I find this article intriguing reading and personally do not agree with all of this article.

https://theconversation.com/indonesia-w … ter-135436

Yet another piece having a pop but with a grand total of zero to offer by way of advice, and a few out of date 'facts' such as bribing the cops.
Their link to anti-Chinese riots turns out to be a demo against a small group of Chinese workers from China, not anti-Chinese riots as such. The CNN pictures of the non-event show about 20 or 30 'rioters', that including a couple of schoolgirls holding a banner.

Limited facts
Totally wrong 'facts'
Distorted 'facts'
No suggestions as to what should be done

It's really easy to have a shout and moan, but a lot more difficult when you're the one having to decide policy.

Basically, a couple of wasted minutes reading pointless nothing

This is good news:

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/202 … d&pg=/

Retailers say there is plenty of food and no chance of shortages. The article's suggestions as to stock and buying trends are consistent with my small scale observations. I have also bought slightly more than usual of some items, an extra 2.5 kg of rice, an extra 10 100g portions of minced chicken, and about ten extra packs of instant noodles so I can avoid going to the shops as often.

https://en.tempo.co/read/1329245/retail … -until-eid

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Purchase transactions at modern retail outlets surged during the Covid-19 outbreak. Business actors ensured there is enough supply until the Eid period is over.

Transmart Carrefour's spokesman Satria Hamid, said the average purchase transaction increased by 50 percent per consumer since February, especially on weekends. He said the increase was influenced by the government's call to start limiting activities outside the home.

"They tend to stock up for longer periods of time—not daily as before," he told Tempo on April 8.

According to Satria, many consumers buy groceries during the last two months. The demand for cooking oil, rice, frozen foods, instant noodles, and eggs are soaring.

Despite the surge in transactions, Satria guarantees that the supply of staple goods will be maintained until Eid, as long as people shop wisely and not hoard.

"On average, our stock will last for the next 90 days or until June," he said.

Meanwhile, Alfamart's corporate affairs director Solihin said it they have secured staple goods supplies until Eid. "We request manufacturers not ship everything at once, so that our warehouse can store staple goods," he said.

In general I would agree with you. However, I still find that some items such as sugar sometimes a bit low on stock especially for the better brands. I also haven't seen Lurpak Spreadable for more than a month. I've visited the supermarkets when they open and also when they restock which is usually around 8am where we live, but still no Lurpak Spreadable. We have about 7 x 100 g of minced beef in the freezer for spaghetti and also for shepherd's pie and half a dozen salmon steaks for my son. But yes, the real point of stocking up is not to hoard but let us remain at home instead of having to go out to the supermarket so often. And of course, no face masks or hand sanitizer at the supermarkets and convenience stores near us.

This morning we had to go to the bank and at the same time picked up some snacks from Alfamart which is a local convenience store, and also some lunch from a food seller that still sells well. It also gave us a chance to get some exercise from walking, as it has been proved that at least 30 mins exercise per day is important and helps resist the Coronavirus.

But most interesting is that there were people walking around everywhere, some with masks and some without, lots of people riding around on motorbikes. It was as if there was no pandemic at all and it actually looked as busy as it did before the pandemic.

It seems that the 3 day "New Nyepi" lock down in Bali has been cancelled:

https://seminyaktimes.com/nyepi-adat-ca … f-meeting/

A more analytical look at Covid-19 in Indonesia:

https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.ed … k8vhzIXKJ8