Zero Deaths in Jakarta
There were zero Covid-19 deaths in Jakarta yesterday, Oct 7, according to Governor Anies Baswedan. Anies also told President Joko Widodo the pandemic is under control in the capital, which has the highest vaccination rate in the country and has exceeded targets for the first dose and 96 percent of the target for the second dose of Covid vaccines. However, he also reminded the public to remain aware of the dangers of Covid-19 transmission and to comply with all health protocols.
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Bali Quarantine May Be Reduced For Foreign Tourists as Hotels Get Ready
The eight-day quarantine period for international visitors to Bali may be reduced to five days, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, who said it will be discussed with the National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB), the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Transportation.
Meanwhile, some 35 Bali hotels have been prepared for foreign traveler quarantine by The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI). They vary from 3-star to 5-star hotels.
Related links:
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/ekonomi/20211006152326-92-704189/35-hotel-karantina-sambut-wna-di-bali-tarif-mulai-rp10-juta
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/ekonomi/20211007180257-532-704838/airlangga-ungkap-rencana-kurangi-karantina-wisman-jadi-5-hari
Under 12s Keep Waiting, New Vaccine Approved
Children under 12 will have to wait for vaccination as the National Food and Drug Agency (BPOM) awaits the results of clinical trials of several vaccines. Sinovac and Sinopharm have already submitted their critical trial results but are in the process of completing necessary data, BPOM head Penny Lukito said.
BPOM has also granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a new Chinese-made vaccine, Zifivax, making it the 10th vaccine to receive EUA in Indonesia. Zifivax’s efficacy rate is 81.71 percent one week after the full three doses are administered, and 81.4 percent within 14 days. It is only intended for those above 18 years of age.
Related links:
- https://newssetup.kontan.co.id/news/vaksinasi-covid-19-anak-di-bawah-12-tahun-bpom-tunggu-kelengkapan-data-uji-klinis
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20211007111423-20-704554/bpom-izinkan-penggunaan-vaksin-covid-zifivax-asal-china
Riau Islands-Singapore Travel Bubble Cancelled
The Riau Islands-Singapore travel bubble scheme has been canceled due to the spike in Covid-19 cases in Singapore, Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad said. The bubble was previously proposed for Batam Nongsa and Bintan Lagoi, two tourist attractions frequently visited by Singaporean tourists.
The Riau Islands administration is now looking to attract domestic tourists, having sent a letter to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) proposing the relaxation of Covid-19 test requirements for inter-provincial travel.
Related link:
- https://en.antaranews.com/news/192841/riau-islands-singapore-travel-bubble-scheme-cancelled-governor
AmCham Cares: Freeport
With Freeport Indonesia (FI) now capable of producing medical oxygen at its plant in the Lowlands’ Light Industrial Park, the company is expanding its pandemic support by providing oxygen to other Papua regions dealing with Covid-19.
In July, Freeport was granted a government permit to convert one of its oxygen plants to produce much-needed medical oxygen to treat Covid-19 patients. Since then, it has supplied medical oxygen to hospitals in Mimika as the deadly Delta variant continues to ravage the region.
“We are glad that we can now produce much-needed medical oxygen and even assist another region in handling the virus. Hopefully, this assistance will help Asmat Regency overcome Covid-19 cases there,” said Jonny Lingga, Freeport Vice President for Government Relations.
Lingga said Freeport assistance to Asmat Regency is the first time the company has sent its own manufactured medical oxygen outside of Mimika.
The first phase saw 50 oxygen cylinders sent to Asmat. The second shipment of another 100 oxygen cylinders will go to hospitals in Asmat. Freeport has also provided nearly 600 oxygen cylinders to hospitals in Mimika.
“On behalf of the local government and Asmat people, I would like to thank Freeport for its generosity… It’s truly a blessing that Freeport Indonesia was able to resolve this dire situation,” said Elisa Kambu, Asmat Regent.
Consumer Confidence Up, Reserves Up
Consumer confidence in September strengthened due to improvements in public mobility, according to Bank Indonesia's latest Consumer Survey. The Consumer Confidence Index (IKK) hit 95.5, up from 77.3 in August, and was reflected in all categories of spending, education level, and respondent age groups. The IKK rose in all cities surveyed, with the highest in Pontianak, followed by Bandung and Makassar.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s official reserve assets increased from $144.8 billion in August to $146.9 billion at the end of September – enough to finance 8.9 months of imports. The official reserve assets position, according to Bank Indonesia, will promote resilience and preserve macroeconomic and financial stability.
Related links:
- https://www.bi.go.id/en/publikasi/ruang-media/news-release/Pages/sp_2325521.aspx
- https://www.bi.go.id/id/publikasi/ruang-media/news-release/Pages/sp_2325621.aspx
PeduliLindungi User Data Not Stored By Partner Apps: Ministry of Health
The integration of the PeduliLindungi QR Code application programming interface (API) with partner apps will comply with the principles of personal data protection, according to the Ministry of Health, and its data will not be stored in partner apps. Data accessed by PeduliLindungi partners is encrypted and in token form, so it can only be read by the systems of both parties. The only data that can be accessed by a partner app is the user’s health and vaccine status, as a requirement to enter a location.
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Indonesia Removed from UK Red List
Indonesia is one of a number of countries to be removed from the UK’s travel red list this month, so Indonesian travelers who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to spend 10 days in quarantine. Fully vaccinated travelers are also not required to undergo a Covid-19 test before they arrive from countries not on the red list.
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Support Independent Journalism: Subscribe to The Jakarta Post
In these difficult times, our hometown English language newspaper, The Jakarta Post, is more important than ever. Given the difficulties of physical circulation and the economic slump, the Post needs to boost its online subscribers – a goal we heartily support at AmCham Indonesia. Quality English language news is vital for our businesses, our home offices, and the flow of information out of Indonesia. It is for this reason, that we are urging all of our members and readers to subscribe to JP! Information is what will help get us through this crisis. Below is information about how to sign up.
JP Premium Digital Subscription Packages
https://www.thejakartapost.com/packages
Monthly subscription – Rp 50,000
Yearly subscription – Rp 600,000
Now is the Time to Join AmCham!
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We offer a full slate of meetings, events, and information for our community online. But we can only do this through the support of our members. If you are not yet an AmCham member, please join now.
AmCham Indonesia is open to all companies with an interest in US business relations and we have many non-American members. We are a community and we welcome you!
Reach us at [email protected] or click below!
AmCham Office and Events
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The AmCham Office is on the work-from-home status and all face-to-face meetings and events have been postponed. We are having a number of meetings online using the Zoom platform. You will be notified of virtual meetings as they are scheduled.
What is Your Company Doing on COVID-19?
Please let us know what measures your company may be taking in the form of donations and other assistance to help Indonesia during this time of confusion and concern. Contact [email protected] with your news. We would like to publicize the ways that our AmCham companies are pitching in.
Stay well
We urge you to send us press releases and other information that we can pass on to the broader AmCham community. If you have items of interest, please email material to [email protected]. Follow this link to information provided by the US Embassy
Stay safe, call a doctor if you have a high fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Stay healthy above all else.
AmCham Update is AmCham's regular newsletter on developments related to the pandemic crisis and other issues in Indonesia. It is edited by AmCham Managing Director A Lin Neumann and written by the AmCham Staff. Paul L Goddard is the Managing Editor
