In Memorium: |
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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE #57 MARCH 29, 2021 |
Cumulative number of reported cases 1,501,093 (as of March 22) Recovered: 1,336,818 Deaths: 40,581 Fatality Rate: 2.7% Rupiah to US: $14,434 |
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Overview- Herd Immunity by Year-EndCovid-19 case detections remained virtually flat relative to last week, with the seven-day moving average (7DMA) at 5,517 on 25 March. Detections have been on a plateau for 10 days. The government states that 6.7 million Indonesians had received their first vaccine dose as of 25 March, with three million of those having received both doses. Thus, the total doses administered to date is 9.8 million. Daily jabs administered reached 630,000 on 25 March, a new record. Indonesia has also begun receiving doses of Astra Zeneca’s vaccine arranged through the World Health Organization’s COVAX facility, however, shipments have been temporarily suspended from AZ’s factory in India as supplies are needed internally. Indonesia’s hopes to reach its goal is one million vaccinations daily by June and has enlisted children to help get there. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Thursday (03/25) he had set a goal to vaccinate 70% of Indonesians before the end of this year. The Minister of Health announced a plan where any child will be eligible for vaccination if they bring two elderly people with them. He said: “because old people are hard to convince”. The respected polling firm Saiful Mujani did a face-to-face survey: 46% said they would get the vaccine, 29% said No, and 23% undecided. In past polls, not this one, among the highest polling reasons for not taking the vaccine was the cost of treatment for side-effects. The government has banned the Idul Fitri tradition of mudik (exodus) for the second consecutive year to curb the spread of COVID-19, which has spiked after major public holidays in the past. This year, Idul Fitri will begin on May 12 or 13, depending on the sighting of the moon. Under normal circumstances, some 20 million people in Greater Jakarta travel to their hometowns during the holiday. Muhadjir said the ban would be in effect from May 6 to 17. Last year, the government had difficulty enforcing the ban. Travel- Restrictions RemainAt the current time, the Indonesian government still prohibits foreign visitors from transiting and traveling to Indonesian Territory unless they are in possession of a valid residence permit. Visa-free and visa-on-arrival entry for all foreign travelers, including U.S. citizens, remains suspended. The government has not indicated a timeline for when the restrictions on international visitors will expire. Visit Indonesian Immigration (https://www.imigrasi.go.id) and the Indonesian Embassy (https://kemlu.go.id/washington/en) for updated visa and entry requirements as regulations may change frequently. Economic-
US/Foreign Affairs-Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs: The White House said Friday that President Joe Biden has nominated the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel Kritenbrink, to become assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs. Kritenbrink, a veteran diplomat, is considered an Asia expert with considerable knowledge on Chinese affairs. He supervises US diplomacy with Indonesia. Jokowi Calls For Summit on Myanmar: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Friday called for a special ASEAN summit to discuss the Myanmar situation, as harsh crackdowns on anti-coup protesters continue in the member country. In a statement, the president said he will propose to Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah that a leaders’ meeting be held immediately. Brunei currently serves as chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Expressing concern over security forces’ deadly use of force against protesters, the president called for a stop to the violence so there will be “no more casualties.” He also urged all sides in Myanmar to hold talks and seek reconciliation to restore democracy and stability in the country. Security-A newlywed couple, who had recently joined a radical Islamic faction, died Sunday in a thwarted attempt to detonate a bomb at a Palm Sunday mass in Makassar, South Sulawesi. 19 people were wounded in the blast. (sources: International and Indonesia news media, Bali Update (from balidiscovery.com), Reformasi Weekly, US Embassy website) |