US Drops Covid-19 Negative Test for Incoming International Travel
The administration of US President Joe Biden has announced that Covid-19 negative tests will no longer be required for international travelers arriving by air, due to the progress made in the fight against the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on June 10 that the testing requirement would end yesterday, June 12. Presidential economics advisor Brian Deese said it was good news for business travel, American commerce, and companies. The Airlines 4 America industry federation said it would help encourage and restore air travel to the United States, with US airlines estimating a 4.3 million passenger increase in one year from the test requirement removal.
However, the CDC will continue to monitor Covid-19 data and reassess the need for testing requirements if the situation changes. Despite ending the testing requirement, the CDC still recommends Covid-19 testing before travel as a safety precaution.
Related links:
- https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2022/06/12/us-to-drop-covid-19-tests-for-incoming-air-travel-.html
- https://www.voanews.com/a/us-lifts-covid-19-test-requirement-for-international-travel-/6614463.html
Jokowi Says Covid Transmission Under Control
President Joko Widodo has said the recent increase of Covid-19 daily cases is under control. Government daily reports shows 3,091 new cases for June 3-9, a rise from 1,975 for May 27-June 2, with the positivity rate remaining below 5 percent. Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the increase was due to the Idul Fitri holidays and the new BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants found in Bali. He urged people to complete their vaccinations and abide by health protocols to avoid a further increase in cases.
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Electricity Tariffs to Rise
Starting July 1, Indonesia’s state power utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) will increase the electricity tariffs for households with a capacity of 3,500 volt-ampere or more, according to Energy Ministry Senior Official Rida Mulyana. The increased tariffs will affect 2.5 percent of PLN’s total number of customers. However, tariffs for businesses and industries as well as subsidized households will not be changed.
Related link:
Digital Transformation Boosts Indonesia's Economy
The role of the digital economy is important in encouraging Indonesia's economy as a whole to be more advanced, said executive director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) Taufiq Ahmad. This can be seen from increasing numbers in digital banking and QRIS transactions, and registered online micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Taufiq said the fashion, electronics, and health industries are dominant in the digital economy. He was speaking at the Sofa Talk Series held by the Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) G20 on June 10.
This growth should not be left unexplored, with Indonesia chairing the upcoming G20 forum. General Chairman of the Indonesian E-Commerce Association (idEA) Bima Laga said the G20 forum is an opportunity for Indonesia to show the world that the country's digital economy ecosystem is more advanced than it was 10 to 12 years ago.
Related link:
AmCham Cares: Kimberly-Clark Softex
Kimberly-Clark Softex (Softex Indonesia) has emphasized its commitment to conducting business ethically and to work toward reducing waste in its business processes, including face masks, by setting up a partnership with Bank Sampah Bersinar, to further accelerate face mask collection for recycling purposes in Bandung.
"To minimize the impact on our planet, we should take responsibility for solving waste reduction and minimizing the environmental footprint to help people live better lives. Therefore, we continuously strive to make positive contributions to the community by collaborating with Bank Sampah Bersinar to increase the waste collection of face masks in Bandung,” said Kadir Gunduz, President Director of Kimberly-Clark Softex.
Kimberly-Clark Softex understands that a strong and consistent focus on the smallest environmental impact could significantly change society’s well-being. Before this partnership, it worked with another online circular economy platform to collect used diapers and deliver them to recycling facilities.
Through these collaborations, Kimberly-Clark Softex has recycled approximately 118.7 tons of used baby diapers since 2019. As part of the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Kimberly-Clark Softex aims to address the social and environmental challenges of the next decade with commitments to improve the lives and well-being of one billion people in underserved communities around the world with the smallest environmental footprint.
Y20 Sponsorship Registrations to Close Next Week
Registration for Y20 Summit sponsorship will close on June 20. This sponsorship opportunity is open to companies who are interested in playing a role leading up to the Y20 Summit, along with gathering further insight on the voice of youth and the issues they deem most important. The sponsorship packages are divided into platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, with benefits ranging from being spotlighted in the Y20 Summit to logo placement in Y20 marketing material. Companies are also able to tailor their sponsorship packages in accordance with their interests.
For more information on Y20 sponsorship please check the sponsorship package below, or contact Head of Sponsorship Division Kristia Sianipar at [email protected] and 62 821 2534 2208.
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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.
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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.
