The most transmissible variant yet, Delta is roughly twice as contagious as the original COVID strain, and as much as 60 percent more contagious than the Alpha (U.K./B.1.1.7) variant, which itself caused numerous waves of the pandemic around the world. As of the end of July, Delta has been detected in nearly every country in the world and has fuelled rapid outbreaks in places where vaccination rates are low.

Delta has also quickly become the dominant strain in the U.S., where it is estimated to account for more than 80 percent of all new sequenced cases in the country. Delta’s rapid spread among the unvaccinated in the U.S. has prompted the CDC to once again advise that everyone wear face masks indoors in public wherever there is significant or higher transmission of the variant. And there is evidence that Delta may come with a higher risk of severe illness for the unvaccinated.

Though COVID vaccines continue to offer strong protection against Delta — and particularly against severe illness and death from the strain — the variant is believed to be at least partially able to avoid antibodies produced by a previous coronavirus infection or vaccination. Below is what we know about the Delta variant. Here are five things you need to know about the Delta variant.

1. Delta is more contagious than the other virus strains.

One thing that is unique about Delta is how quickly it is spreading, says F. Perry Wilson, MD, a Yale Medicine epidemiologist. Around the world, he says, “Delta will certainly accelerate the pandemic.” The first Delta case was identified in December 2020, and the variant soon became the predominant strain of the virus in both India and then Great Britain. By the end of July, Delta was the cause of more than 80% of new U.S. COVID-19 cases, according to CDC estimates.

The July CDC report confirmed this after an outbreak that occurred in Provincetown, Mass., after a crowded July 4 weekend, which quickly turned into a cluster of at least 470 cases. While the number of reported breakthrough cases in general has been very low in the U.S., three quarters of those infected in Provincetown were people who had been immunized. According to the CDC, even people with “breakthrough cases” carry tremendous amounts of virus in their nose and throat, and, according to preliminary reports, can spread the virus to others whether or not they have symptoms.

The CDC has labeled Delta “a variant of concern,” using a designation also given to the Alpha strain that first appeared in Great Britain, the Beta strain that first surfaced in South Africa, and the Gamma strain identified in Brazil. (The new naming conventions for the variants were established by the WHO as an alternative to numerical names.) “It’s actually quite dramatic how the growth rate will change,” says Dr. Wilson, commenting on Delta’s spread in the U.S. in June. Delta was spreading 50% faster than Alpha, which was 50% more contagious than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, he says. “In a completely unmitigated environment—where no one is vaccinated or wearing masks—it’s estimated that the average person infected with the original coronavirus strain will infect 2.5 other people,” Dr. Wilson says. “In the same environment, Delta would spread from one person to maybe 3.5 or 4 other people.” “Because of the math, it grows exponentially and more quickly,” he says. “So, what seems like a fairly modest rate of infectivity can cause a virus to dominate very quickly.”

2. Unvaccinated people are at risk.

People who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are most at risk. In the U.S., there is a disproportionate number of unvaccinated people in Southern and Appalachian states including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and West Virginia, where vaccination rates are low. (In some of these states, the number of cases is on the rise even as some other states are lifting restrictions because their cases are going down).

Kids and young people are a concern as well. “A recent study from the United Kingdom showed that children and adults under 50 were 2.5 times more likely to become infected with Delta,” says Dr. Yildirim. And so far, no vaccine has been approved for children 5 to 12 in the U.S., although the U.S. and a number of other countries have either authorized vaccines for adolescents and young children or are considering them. “As older age groups get vaccinated, those who are younger and unvaccinated will be at higher risk of getting COVID-19 with any variant,” says Dr. Yildirim.  “But Delta seems to be impacting younger age groups more than previous variants.”

3. Delta could lead to ‘hyperlocal outbreaks.’

If Delta continues to move fast enough to accelerate the pandemic, Dr. Wilson says the biggest questions will be about the heightened transmissibility—how many people will get the Delta variant and how fast will it spread? The answers could depend, in part, on where you live—and how many people in your location are vaccinated, he says. “I call it ‘patchwork vaccination,’ where you have these pockets that are highly vaccinated that are adjacent to places that have 20% vaccination,” Dr. Wilson says. “The problem is that this allows the virus to hop, skip, and jump from one poorly vaccinated area to another.”

In some cases, a low-vaccination town that is surrounded by high vaccination areas could end up with the virus contained within its borders, and the result could be “hyperlocal outbreaks,” he says. “Then, the pandemic could look different than what we’ve seen before, where there are real hotspots around the country.”

Some experts say the U.S. is in a good position because of its relatively high vaccination rates—or that conquering Delta will take a race between vaccination rates and the variant. But if Delta keeps moving fast, multiplying infections in the U.S. could steepen an upward COVID-19 curve, Dr. Wilson says.

So, instead of a three- or four-year pandemic that peters out once enough people are vaccinated or naturally immune (because they have had the virus), an uptick in cases would be compressed into a shorter period of time. “That sounds almost like a good thing,” Dr. Wilson says. “It’s not.” If too many people are infected at once in a particular area, the local health care system will become overwhelmed, and more people will die, he says. While that might be less likely to happen in the U.S., it will be the case in other parts of the world, he adds. “That’s something we have to worry about a lot.”

4. There is still more to learn about Delta.

One important question is whether the Delta strain will make you sicker than the original virus. But many scientists say they don’t know yet. Early information about the severity of Delta included a study from Scotland that showed the Delta variant was about twice as likely as Alpha to result in hospitalization in unvaccinated individuals, but other data has shown no significant difference.

Another question focuses on how Delta affects the body. There have been reports of symptoms that are different than those associated with the original coronavirus strain, Dr. Yildirim says. “It seems like cough and loss of smell are less common. And headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever are present based on the most recent surveys in the U.K., where more than 90% of the cases are due to the Delta strain,” she says. It’s unclear whether Delta could cause more breakthrough cases—infections in people who have been vaccinated or have natural immunity from a prior COVID-19 infection.

This question is being revisited after the Provincetown outbreak. “Breakthrough is a big question,” Dr. Wilson says. “At least with immunity from the mRNA vaccines, it doesn’t look like it will be a problem.” A Public Health England analysis (in a preprint that has not yet been peer-reviewed) showed that at least two vaccines are effective against Delta.

5. Vaccination is the best protection against Delta.

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself from Delta is to get fully vaccinated, the doctors say. At this point, that means if you get a two-dose vaccine like Pfizer or Moderna, for example, you must get both shots and then wait the recommended two-week period for those shots to take full effect. Whether or not you are vaccinated, it’s also important to follow CDC prevention guidelines that are available for vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

Face masks can provide additional protection and the WHO has encouraged mask-wearing even among vaccinated people. The CDC updated its guidance in July to recommend that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of high transmission to help prevent Delta’s spread and to protect others, especially those who are immuno-compromised, unvaccinated, or at risk for severe disease. The agency is also recommending universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools.

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In late July, approximately 11,000 athletes and 4,000 athletic support staff will gather for more than two weeks of competition at various hosting cities. Another 5,000 athletes will attend the Paralympics, which follows shortly after. According to the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks, which were developed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee to ensure that all participants and spectators remain safe and healthy during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, both spectators and athletes should take responsibilities to supply their own face coverings and are advised to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before the Games begin.

The 2020 Summer Olympic Games take place between 23 July and 8 August. The Paralympic Games are due to run between 24 August and 5 September. The Games were postponed last year because of Covid. The Olympics will feature 33 sports at 339 events across 42 venues. The Paralympics will feature 22 sports at 539 events across 21 venues.

Various concerns have been raised over hosting the Olympics, as the prestigious event only occurs once every four years. One of these concerns is that the Olympics could lead to the spread of more contagious Covid-19 variants, particularly as the event brings large numbers of athletes, media outlets, domestic spectators, local volunteers and officials together in one place. Many guidelines and policies are being put into place to mitigate this risk, including advising support staff and athletes to avoid public transport, tourist attractions, restaurants and bars to avoid chances of catching or spreading the airborne disease. Although the IOC has warned that non-compliance with the guidelines could lead to individuals being disqualified from competing, there is no real indication of how these countermeasures will be enforced

Some of you might wondering what’s happening with Covid in Japan? Here is some brief information on Japan’s COVID-19 situation. Japan has had relatively low case numbers, but a new wave of infections began in April. As of 21 July, there were 848,222 confirmed cases and 15,062 deaths (compared with 5.5 million cases and 128,800 deaths in the UK). Japan only began vaccinating in February and only 22% of its population of about 126 million is fully vaccinated. In Tokyo and Osaka, the two cities hit hardest by the recent surge, authorities hope over-65s will be fully vaccinated by the end of July.

Japan’s vaccination rate has been relatively slow and is adding to concerns about the possible spread of Covid-19. According to reports from Our World in Data, 26.4 million doses were administrated and around 7.11 million people have been fully vaccinated in Japan.

However, for Japan’s 125.36 million inhabitants, this equates to just over 5% of its total population being fully vaccinated. Medical workers and those ages 65 years and older were prioritised to receive vaccines and vaccinations for those under 65 years of age will start in the next few weeks, which means that only a small proportion of the population will be fully vaccinated if the Olympic Games continue as scheduled. As such, Global Data expects that Japan will see increased daily case numbers and a further strain on the country’s healthcare system after the Games have ended.

Now, let’s talk about the safety measure of COVID-19 for the athletes, international athletes and support staff are being tested every day. Athletes don’t have to be vaccinated, though International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials expect around 80% will be. More than 90 people associated with the Games have tested positive so far, including British athlete Amber Hill who has withdrawn from the women’s skeet competition.

Athletes and media are also asked to take Olympic-only transport, which consists of buses or designated taxis that can be reserved and have been (supposedly) cleaned and cleared. Yet again, given Tokyo’s low vaccination rate, the drivers of these buses aren’t likely to be vaccinated, and return home to their families after their shifts. And in the case of Olympic buses, during those shifts, they are driving consistently packed, standing-room only, cheek to jowl rides during which it’s impossible to impose the social distancing that’s ideally required to contain COVID-19.

After hearing the information about the athletes, you might be sure that you will be really safe to fly to Japan for being spectators for your country’s athletes, but unfortunately Japan decided to make rule that all spectators were banned after a state of emergency was declared in Tokyo on 8 July. It will stay in place until 22 August.

A decision about whether Japanese spectators will be able to attend the Paralympics has not yet been made. Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto said she was “sorry to those who purchased tickets”. If there are no spectators why were the games not cancelled? The contract between the IOC and the host city Tokyo suggests only the IOC can cancel the event. The IOC is thought to make around 70% of its money from broadcast rights, and 18% from sponsorship. IOC president Thomas Bach said the thought of rescheduling the competition “caused sleepless nights”. He insisted the Games must go ahead “to give hope” for the future. The head of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also backed the competition, arguing it could show what can be done with the correct Covid safeguards.

But the head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee Toshiro Muto has not ruled out cancelling the Olympic Games even at this late stage. He said he would keep an eye on infection numbers and hold “discussions” if necessary. If the Tokyo organisers were to cancel the contract, the risks and losses would probably fall on the Japanese side. The budget for Tokyo 2020 was set at $12.6bn (£8.9bn), although it’s been reported the actual cost may be double that. Same goes for the security measures at each of the venues and the main press and broadcasting centres, which require media and athletes to take off their masks and have their picture snapped at the same time that their credential, hung around their neck, is scanned by a standing kiosk machine.

Because most journalists aren’t bothering to remove their credential, that means that the space in front of the camera becomes another cloud of happy respiratory droplets containing all manner of bacteria or viruses that are floating around ready to get pulled into the lungs of a new host with the next inhalation. Athletes entering the Main Press Centre for press conferences are subject to the same procedures, even if they’re being asked to hang their own medals around their necks for fear of coming into close contact with medal presenters

Do people in Japan actually want the Olympics? Several towns set to host athletes reportedly pulled out earlier in the year because of fears about Covid and extra pressure on the healthcare system. In May, a Japanese doctors’ union said it was “impossible” to hold the Games given the pandemic. A poll in May in the leading Asahi Shimbun newspaper suggested more than 80% of the population want them cancelled or postponed. What have athletes’ representatives said? A number of bodies have expressed concern. The World Players Association, representing 85,000 athletes in over 60 countries, said the IOC must do more to ensure athletes’ safety – with stricter physical distancing and more rigorous testing. Japanese athletes have largely kept a low profile, but the country’s biggest sports star, tennis champion Naomi Osaka, previously said there should be a debate about whether the Games should go ahead.

The Tokyo Olympics infection control measures are pretty strict about preventing the importation of COVID-19 by Olympic travellers. But given that the bubbles aren’t perfect, and that the practical pressure to move thousands of journalists around in a short period of time precludes the proper social distancing, the virus is likely finding ways to keep flourishing. Health officials can only hope that intensive testing and contact tracing will pick up cases as quickly as possible to contain them.

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Due to the education system has faced an unprecedented health crisis (i.e., COVID-19 pandemic) that has shaken up its foundation.

This response includes, but is not limited to, curriculum revisions, provision for technological resources and infrastructure, shifts in the academic calendar, and policies on instructional delivery and assessment. Inevitably, these developments compelled educational institutions to migrate to full online learning until face-to-face instruction is allowed. The current circumstance is unique as it could aggravate the challenges experienced during online learning due to restrictions in movement and health protocols.

Since its outbreak in late December 2019, COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the world and like any critical sector, education has been hit hard. Students, schools, colleges and universities have been deeply impacted. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), over 800 million learners from around the world have been affected, 1 in 5 learners cannot attend school, 1 in 4 cannot attend higher education classes, and over 102 countries have ordered nationwide school closures while 11 have implemented localised school closure.

Inevitably, schools and other learning spaces were forced to migrate to full online learning as the world continues the battle to control the vicious spread of the virus. Online learning refers to a learning environment that uses the Internet and other technological devices and tools for synchronous and asynchronous instructional delivery and management of academic programs. However, students continue their education through online learning and via video calls with their teachers, especially in big cities such as Jakarta. The model is currently the best alternative as keeping schools open poses a safety risk for students.

Globally, many countries have adopted this approach. Schools in New York, the United States, prepared for online learning by distributing gadgets to their students, ensuring they had access to learning materials.

As of early April, education authorities distributed around 500,000 laptops and tablets to their students, allowing them to participate in classes online. When the first two COVID-19 cases were announced in Indonesia in early March, the country was in a panic. On March 14, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan announced that all schools in Jakarta were to be closed. However, many schools were not ready to apply home learning programs yet. The online classes implemented in Indonesia work differently from those in the US. This is due to a lack of preparation in this country.

As a student participating in the home-learning program, online school was confusing to adjust to as we had not been prepared through simulations or practices beforehand. Students reported the home-learning program to be even more stressful than regular classrooms. Some of the common reasons for this went along the lines of: “Normal classes may have been difficult, but having friends makes it so much more manageable and less stressful. Online classes take out the benefits of having friends to socialize with and being stuck alone with nothing but assignments.” Many students participating in home-learning programs also say that the workload of online classes is larger than that of regular classes. The general consensus is that home-learning programs — although highly beneficial and a good alternative to school as schools are closed — still require some getting used to by students, as it is a novel concept and not many are experienced with them.

However, although the closing of schools does have a silver lining (home-learning programs where students are still able to learn), the true sufferers of the government order of school closings are the students in less fortunate situations and the students who are in schools that are not well-funded.

This is because those students lack the devices and internet access to be able to participate in online classes, and the schools do not have the capacity to teach online. Unlike in New York where devices are distributed to students by schools and private companies, in Indonesia, there is yet to be this kind of effort.

This leaves many students in a bad spot where they are unable to receive an education. Although internet service providers have been giving out free data packages, they are simply not capable of supporting video calls on programs such as Zoom. To further complicate things, it seems that COVID-19 will last a while in Indonesia. For context, in China, it took months for the transmissions to stabilize — and this was with a fast government response, instant lockdown and people obeying the rules and quarantine policies.

Despite the lack of a nation-wide lockdown, schools remain closed, meaning that students who have no access to a device or internet connection will have a difficult time maintaining their education. Due to these factors, they will be in a very difficult spot educationally until the COVID-19 pandemic dies down in Indonesia.

In this situation, the government should make extra efforts to support the education sector and build a sense of solidarity among schools, such as by facilitating networks between international and national/public schools to share experiences and study methodologies for online teaching.

Thankfully, there are now some alternatives to online learning in which students in less fortunate situations could participate. The Education and Culture Ministry recently introduced a Belajar di Rumah (Learning at Home) program through state-owned broadcaster TVRI (for the next three months) and a platform called Guru Berbagi (Teachers Sharing), providing creating learning and teaching materials.

To add on to this, however, the government should still have more offline options for students without internet access, such as the distribution of books and learning materials. Personally, I feel that online classes are a great alternative to normal in-school classes. As a 10^th grader participating in online classes right now, I have been able to focus more and perform better.

Developing strong attitudes towards learning also can help students overcome some of the potential challenges posed by online learning such as, for instance, remaining focused during online classes or maintaining sufficient motivation.

They are also crucial in supporting students using information and communications technology (ICT) effectively and making the most of new technologies for learning. Positive attitudes towards learning, self-regulation and intrinsic motivation to learn play an important role in improving performance at school in general, but may be especially important should online learning continue.

The presence of COVID-19 will directly and permanently change education in the future, seeing that we must be able to adapt to working and studying online for any kind of reasons and situations. I believe, both TVRI’s Belajar di Rumah program and the Guru Berbagi platform will leave a legacy and should be continued to support class teachings for good. Only time will tell whether online classes will be a good substitute for normal classes, and if they are, there will be a rise in online educational programs and online universities.

In another perspective, education systems should aim to strengthen engagement between schools and parents in order to improve information and guidance to parents on effective practices for supporting their children’s learning.

At the same time, teachers need support to incorporate technology effectively into their teaching practices and methods and help students overcome some of the difficulties that are associated with this form of learning environment. Supporting teachers’ training about the use of digital resources for pedagogical practice and promoting teaching practices adapted to this context is key to ensure that ICT is leveraged effectively.

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Investigations into SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology suggest that, similar to other viral upper respiratory infections, infection occurs primarily in the nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa with high viral loads early in disease.¹ Within the otolaryngology–head and neck surgery community, recent reports of viral transmission through endoscopic endonasal surgical procedures have caused increased concern regarding how nasal biology affects viral transmission.

Further questions have arisen on the possible therapeutic role of commonly used topical nasal therapies. Nasal irrigations may play a role in reducing viral severity and further transmission. However, it is not yet clear whether topical nasal saline irrigations provide viral mitigation effects or conversely have a potentiating effect on viral transmission.

Additionally, there are concerns about the consequences of topical adjuncts, such as nasal corticosteroids, for viral nasal infections. In this Viewpoint, we have briefly reviewed the current evidence regarding the association of nasal saline irrigations and their adjuncts with viral upper respiratory illnesses.

The nasal lining serves an important role in the innate immune system, providing a primary defence against inhaled viruses, bacteria, and other particulates. This lining, consisting of a superficial mucus layer atop an aqueous base, traps inhaled particulates that are then propelled by underlying cilia into the nasopharynx. They are ultimately driven into the gastrointestinal system, where they are destroyed.

Topical nasal rinses take advantage of this secretory lining in multiple ways. First, nasal rinses physically disrupt the viscous surface layer, removing the mucus and its associated particulate matter. Additionally, the presence of nasal saline helps to increase hydration of the deeper aqueous layer, simultaneously improving the underlying ciliary beat frequency and reducing local inflammatory mediators.

This can be particularly helpful during a viral respiratory infection, in which there is resultant mucociliary dysfunction and mucostasis that occurs secondary to the inflammatory response.

While the benefit of topical nasal saline has been well established, optimal saline tonicity has been debated within the literature. There is supportive evidence for both isotonic saline and hypertonic saline (HS) efficacy in vivo. Isotonic saline consists of a 0.9% wt/vol sodium chloride solution, which is close to the physiologic salt concentration of the body. Conversely, HS solutions are greater than 0.9% wt/vol.

It has been theorized that HS, which has higher osmolarity, pulls water out of cells resulting in increased hydration of the aqueous portion of the mucus layer. This improves mucociliary clearance while also decreasing epithelial edema. Additionally, there is evidence that the presence of HS can result in calcium efflux from epithelial cells, stimulating ciliary function and improving mucociliary clearance. Although in vitro studies have demonstrated these effects, some in vivo studies raised the concern of local adverse symptoms, including nasal burning, paradoxical nasal blockage, and rhinorrhea, which would limit the use of HS. A recent meta-analysis evaluating both isotonic saline and HS rinses for all sinonasal diseases concluded that HS, with a concentration less than 5% sodium chloride, was more beneficial than isotonic saline for the management of sinonasal pathology.

Additionally, a recent randomized clinical trial evaluating the utility of HS for mitigation of the common cold demonstrated HS reduced duration of illness, over-the-counter medication use, transmission to household members, and viral shedding.

While there is evidence to support topical therapies for viral transmission mitigation, the potential risks must also be considered. Like other respiratory infections, SARS-CoV-2 is likely transmitted via physical contact with the virus through direct or indirect transfer to the upper aerodigestive tract mucosa or exposure to infected respiratory droplets.

Transmission of the virus is high, especially because infected persons have shown evidence of viral shedding during the incubation period, asymptomatic infection, and even after evidence of recovery. As such, there is concern that performing irrigations of the nasal cavities may increase viral shedding, and thus transmission.

Additionally, there is concern about viral contamination of the nasal rinse bottle itself, leading to increased transmission through contact-induced infections. Rhinovirus is detectable in nasal lavage, suggesting that viral contamination of surfaces may occur via rinsing.  This surface contamination is important to recognize, because evidence has suggested that SARS-CoV-2 is stable on plastic and can be detected more than 72 hours after exposure.  However, it is also important to note that there are many ways to inactivate viral particles on those surfaces, such as through the use of diethyl ether, 75% ethanol, chlorine, UV light, or heat (56 °C for 30 minutes).

SARS-CoV-2 is a highly virulent respiratory virus with significant presence in the nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa. Hypertonic nasal saline, which facilitates mucociliary clearance, likely decreases viral burden through physical removal. Other additives, such as povidone-iodine, may aid in eliminating viral particles within the nasal cavity and nasopharynx prior to active infection. Given available evidence, saline irrigations with or without indicated additives may be safe to use in the presence of COVID-19.

This is critical to communicate for patients who already use these therapies for rhinosinusitis management. Importantly, the lavage fluid, rinse bottle, and surrounding surfaces may become contaminated and serve as a source of infection in the future. Thus, patients should practice good hand hygiene and decontaminate the surrounding surfaces (eg, sink, counters) and plastic rinse bottle to prevent subsequent infection.

Given the safety profile of these therapies, HS nasal irrigations should be encouraged for patients and health care workers especially. For our patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, continued use of steroid irrigations should be encouraged. Emerging research is expected to shed further light on saline irrigation’s protective and therapeutic effect on COVID-19.

After all of the explanation, we will tell you how to do Nasal Saline Irrigations at home. Remember to do it in safe area and be very careful when you are doing it. Here is below, step by step on how to do the Nasal saline irrigations:

• Fill a large medical syringe, squeeze bottle, or nasal cleansing pot (such as a Neti Pot) with the saline solution, insert the tip into your nostril, and squeeze gently.
• Aim the stream of saline solution toward the back of your head, not toward the top.
• The saline wash should go through the nose and out the mouth or the other side of the nose.
• Blow your nose gently after the saline wash unless your doctor has told you not to blow your nose.
• Repeat several times every day.
• Clean the syringe or bottle after each use.

Here are some things to think about:

• Do your saline wash before you use your other nasal medicines. The wash will help your sinuses absorb the medicine.
• You can warm the saline solution a little. But make sure it’s not hot.
• The saline wash may cause a burning feeling in your nose the first few times you use it. Most people get used to the wash after a few times.

Those are some explanations and how to do the Nasal Saline Irrigations during the pandemic of COVID-19.

If you are currently staying in Bali, you can get all of the tools you need to do the Nasal Saline Irrigations at home by calling the Hydro Medical Bali Clinic. We will provide you with the tools and 24hours call centre at +6282298298911.

You can make a purchase throughout the number and get the tools send right away to your place. Remember, this alone can not prevent you from COVID-19, always do the health protocols like wearing a mask and do the handwash to make it more effective.

Always stay safe during the pandemic, if you’re now during self-isolation or in confirmed with COVID-19 hope this information finds you right and we wish you will get well soon. Let’s meet each other sooner rather than later!

The post Washing COVID-19 Away, Benefits and Safety of Nasal Saline Irrigations appeared first on Hydromed Bali | Canggu | Seminyak.

There are five types of COVID-19 Vaccine that the government introduce to citizens in Indonesia.

1. Pfizer-BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech is the first vaccine in the world that can be used for the general public. This vaccine is the result of collaboration between a German biotechnology company, BioNTech, and an American pharmaceutical company, Pfizer. Pfizer-BioNTech is a messenger RNA (mRNA) type vaccine or nucleic acid vaccine. This vaccine uses genetic material (in the case of Covid-19 is the spike protein from Covid-19), which is used to give instructions to our body cells to form antibodies.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has an efficacy of around 95% and has received an Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) from the World Health Organization (WHO). The distribution and use of this vaccine were first carried out the United Kingdom, then followed by other countries such as Australia, United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and several countries in Asia such as South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Type: mRNA

Dose: 2

Efficacy: 95%

2. Moderna 

The next vaccine found to fight Covid-19 is the Moderna vaccine. This vaccine is produced by a biotechnology company from the United States, Moderna. Similar to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, this vaccine is a type of messenger RNA (mRNA) that uses genetic material to stimulate our cells to form antibodies.

The efficacy of the Moderna vaccine is around 95% and has received an Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The distribution and use of this vaccine is mostly carried out in their origin country, the United States. Other countries that use this vaccine are the United Kingdom, Israel and Singapore.

Type: mRNA

Dose: 2

Efficacy: 95%

3. AstraZeneca 

The AstraZeneca or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is a vaccine produced by a British biopharmaceutical company and the University of Oxford. This vaccine is a type of viral vector vaccine that utilizes the chimpanzee Adenovirus (which is weakened until it’s harmless), to deliver the spike protein from Covid-19 into our cells and  trigger it to build antibodies.

The efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine is around 70% overall. After receiving Emergency Use Authorized (EUA)  from the World Health Organization  (WHO), this vaccine began to be distributed and used in various countries around the world. Most of them are in Europe and Africa. The vaccine is also used in Asia such as Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and South Korea.

Type: Viral vector

Dose: 2

Efficacy: 70%

4. Sinovac

Sinovac is a vaccine produced by a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, Sinovac BioTech. This vaccine, which has another name, CoronaVac, is a type of whole virus vaccine that uses the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus. The inactivated virus is no longer able to infect the body, but it can trigger the formation of immunity in our body. The Sinovac vaccine has various efficacy rates from several countries that have conducted its trials. Iin Brazil, the Sinovac vaccine has an efficacy of around 50,65%. In Turkey, the efficacy of the Sinovac vaccine is around 91,25%. Meanwhile in Indonesia , the efficacy of the Sinovac vaccine is around 65,3%. After receiving Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) from the Indonesia Food and Drug Administration (BPOM), the Sinovac vaccine began to be used for the vaccination program in Indonesia. Apart from Indonesia, other countries that have ordered the Sinovac vaccine are Brazil, Chile, Turkey, Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia.

Type: Whole virus (Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus)

Dose: 2

Efficacy: 50,65% – 91,25%

5. Novavax

Novavax is a vaccine developed by a biopharmaceutical company, called Novavax. This vaccine is a type of protein-based vaccine, containing a special Covid-19 spike protein made using the company’s own technology, so it can stimulate the formation of antibodies in our body. The efficacy of the Novavax vaccine reached 89,3% in the third trial in England. Currently, Novavax is still waiting for an Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) from the United State Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while preparing the production for distribution to various countries including Indonesia.

Type: Protein-based

Dose: 2

Efficacy: 89,3%

After knowing the information about the vaccine, we will let you know about how to get vaccinated in Bali. In sanur, some of the foreigners already get their vaccine shot. “These foreigners have been vaccinated and are staying here because they have a KITAS and BPJS, which means they are already working, registered, and have health facilities as well as being entitled to vaccine guarantees. There are also those who have an ID card. They can also get vaccinated because they are residents here,” said the Head of Sanur Kaja Village, I Made Sudana.

He explained that there are 10,000 people who are being targeted to get vaccinated in the Sanur Kaja area. Eligible people will have a Sanur KTP, be over 18-years-old, and have a self-reporting certificate (STLD). “If there are non-residents of Sanur but have settled here, they must complete the STLD, meaning that they have reported themselves. Foreigners who already have an ID card, KITAS, and BPJS, can get vaccines, and we will ask for a letter of their e-tickets,” said Made Sudana. The vaccinated foreigners are mostly from Australia and Sweden and include lecturers at an international school and a general manager within the tourism sector. Apart from foreign citizens, tourism workers also get priority in receiving the vaccine by bringing a certificate or ID from their place of work.

The vaccination is targeted to be completed within one week with the programme covering the three green zone areas free of COVID-19. The jab being used in the process is produced by AstraZeneca. Based on data from the Bali Provincial Health Office, there are 20,000 vials of the AstraZeneca vaccine which are being distributed to three green zones. Nusa Dua will receive 8,960 vials, Ubud is getting 4,300 vials, and Sanur will have 6,740 vials. “For the Sanur Kaja area, yesterday someone complained about having fever and chills, then asked to consult the hospital and was given medication in the form of paracetamol and vitamins. After that, this person’s condition improved and they could get back to day-to-day activities,” he conveyed.

The Government vaccination program continues in Bali with just over 650,000 full vaccinated as of June 2nd 2021. There is still no official information on what kind of visa will be required by visitors from the “travel bubble” countries. Tourists must have a negative PCR test result before leaving [their departure point] and after arriving in Indonesia. The government will also ensure foreign tourists entering the country have been vaccinated against Covid-19. The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy has finalized the cooperation plan to open foreign tourist gates with 4 countries through the travel bubble scheme. These countries include the Middle East, such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, China, Singapore, and the Netherlands. As of June 01, the 5-day quarantine period is still in place and only via Jakarta.

The post What a Foreigner Must Do to Get Vaccinated in Bali? appeared first on Hydromed Bali | Canggu | Seminyak.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, stay at home and self-isolate immediately. If you have a positive test result but do not have symptoms, stay at home and self-isolate as soon as you receive the results. Your household needs to isolate too. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, arrange to have a PCR test online or by phone by calling the nearest health provider  if you have not already had one. Stay at home while you are waiting for a home test kit, a test site appointment or a test result. You can leave your home in a few specific circumstances, but do not go to work, school, or public areas and do not use public transport or taxis. See circumstances in which you can leave home.

If you need to leave your home to get to a test site, stay at least 2 metres apart from other people who you do not live with, and return immediately afterwards. If you are trace of a positive test result you must complete your full isolation period. Your isolation period starts immediately from when your symptoms started, or, if you do not have any symptoms, from when your test was taken. Your isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day your test was taken if you do not have symptoms), and the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, your symptoms started at any time on the 15th of the month (or if you did not have symptoms but your first positive COVID-19 test was taken on the 15th), your isolation period ends at 23:59 hrs on the 25th.

The 3 main symptoms of COVID-19 are used to identify when someone should seek a test and when they should self-isolate from. You may have experienced other symptoms before developing any of the 3 main symptoms (a cough, high temperature or loss of smell or taste), and the timing of these other symptoms will be used to identify your contacts. You will be asked about your recent contacts so that they can be given public health advice. They will not be told your identity. It is very important that you provide this information, as it will play a vital role in helping to protect your family, friends and the wider community.

You can return to your normal routine and stop self-isolating after 10 full days if your symptoms have gone, or if the only symptoms you have are a cough or anosmia, which can last for several weeks. If you still have a high temperature after 10 days or are otherwise unwell, stay at home and seek medical advice. If you are isolating because of a positive test result but did not have any symptoms, and you develop COVID-19 symptoms within your isolation period, start a new 10-day isolation period by counting 10 full days from the day following your symptom onset.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms at any point after ending your first period of isolation you and your household should follow the steps in this guidance again. Most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild illness. Seek prompt medical attention if your illness or the illness of someone in your household is worsening. Stay as far away from other members of your household as possible, especially if they are clinically extremely vulnerable. Wherever possible, avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat. Wear a face covering or a surgical mask when spending time in shared areas inside your home.

Take exercise within your home, garden or private outdoor space. Follow the general advice to reduce the spread of the infection within your household. People who live on a traveller site, in a vehicle or on a canal boat may have added difficulties in accessing water and sanitation. You should aim to do all that you can to reduce the spread of COVID-19 with the space available to you and your household. Further support and practical advice are provided below.

If you wonder how, you will get the right treatment during your self-isolation at home, Hydro Medical Bali have package to offer for you. We will visit you during the time you were being isolated at home with our professional health care provider. We also provide you with the communication directly to our professional doctor and nurse for the case of your consultation. In the package, we also include the PCR test and lab test for you in case you need it and the result is within the day. You can take a look of the package on the picture below. You don’t have to go anywhere, Hydro Medical Bali team will directly come to your place to do everything you need (in case of health) during the home-isolation period.

During home isolation process we are suggesting you to Spend as little time as possible in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat. Observe strict social distancing. Ask the people you live with to help by bringing your meals to your door, helping with cleaning and by giving you space. Use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household where possible. If a separate bathroom is not available, try and use the facilities last, before cleaning the bathroom using your usual cleaning products. The bathroom should be cleaned regularly. You should use separate towels from other household members, both for drying yourself after bathing or showering and for drying your hands. Keep your room well-ventilated by opening a window to the outside.

Use a face covering or a surgical mask when spending time in shared areas inside your home to minimise the risk of spread to others. Used correctly, they may help to protect others by reducing the transmission of COVID-19 but they do not replace the need to limit your contact with other household members. Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should be supported to minimise their contact with other people in the household during this period, regardless of whether others have symptoms or not

Things that you can do to help make staying at home easier:

• keep in touch with friends and family over the phone or through social media
• remember that physical exercise can be good for your wellbeing. Look for online classes or courses that can help you take light exercise in your home
• plan ahead and think about what you will need to be able to stay at home for the full duration
• ask your employer, friends and family for help to access the things you will need while staying at home
• think about and plan how you can get food and other supplies, such as medication, that you will need during this period
• check if your neighbourhood or local community has a volunteer system that could help bring you supplies or provide other support
• ask friends or family to drop off anything you need or order supplies online or by phone, making sure these are left outside your home for you to collect
• think about things you can do during your time at home such as cooking, reading, online learning and watching films
• many people find it helpful to plan out the full 10 days. You may also find it helpful to plan in advance what you will do if, for example, someone in your household were to feel much worse

We will always hope you in the safe and sound condition, lets hope that this pandemic will end soon and we can meet each other again without being afraid with the virus. Stay with the health protocols and stay safe!.

The post Guidance of Comfort COVID-19 Self Isolation at Home appeared first on Hydromed Bali | Canggu | Seminyak.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, stay at home and self-isolate immediately. If you have a positive test result but do not have symptoms, stay at home and self-isolate as soon as you receive the results. Your household needs to isolate too. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, arrange to have a PCR test online or by phone by calling the nearest health provider  if you have not already had one. Stay at home while you are waiting for a home test kit, a test site appointment or a test result. You can leave your home in a few specific circumstances, but do not go to work, school, or public areas and do not use public transport or taxis. See circumstances in which you can leave home.

If you need to leave your home to get to a test site, stay at least 2 metres apart from other people who you do not live with, and return immediately afterwards. If you are trace of a positive test result you must complete your full isolation period. Your isolation period starts immediately from when your symptoms started, or, if you do not have any symptoms, from when your test was taken. Your isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day your test was taken if you do not have symptoms), and the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, your symptoms started at any time on the 15th of the month (or if you did not have symptoms but your first positive COVID-19 test was taken on the 15th), your isolation period ends at 23:59 hrs on the 25th.

The 3 main symptoms of COVID-19 are used to identify when someone should seek a test and when they should self-isolate from. You may have experienced other symptoms before developing any of the 3 main symptoms (a cough, high temperature or loss of smell or taste), and the timing of these other symptoms will be used to identify your contacts. You will be asked about your recent contacts so that they can be given public health advice. They will not be told your identity. It is very important that you provide this information, as it will play a vital role in helping to protect your family, friends and the wider community.

You can return to your normal routine and stop self-isolating after 10 full days if your symptoms have gone, or if the only symptoms you have are a cough or anosmia, which can last for several weeks. If you still have a high temperature after 10 days or are otherwise unwell, stay at home and seek medical advice. If you are isolating because of a positive test result but did not have any symptoms, and you develop COVID-19 symptoms within your isolation period, start a new 10-day isolation period by counting 10 full days from the day following your symptom onset.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms at any point after ending your first period of isolation you and your household should follow the steps in this guidance again. Most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild illness. Seek prompt medical attention if your illness or the illness of someone in your household is worsening. Stay as far away from other members of your household as possible, especially if they are clinically extremely vulnerable. Wherever possible, avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat. Wear a face covering or a surgical mask when spending time in shared areas inside your home.

Take exercise within your home, garden or private outdoor space. Follow the general advice to reduce the spread of the infection within your household. People who live on a traveller site, in a vehicle or on a canal boat may have added difficulties in accessing water and sanitation. You should aim to do all that you can to reduce the spread of COVID-19 with the space available to you and your household. Further support and practical advice are provided below.

If you wonder how, you will get the right treatment during your self-isolation at home, Hydro Medical Bali have package to offer for you. We will visit you during the time you were being isolated at home with our professional health care provider. We also provide you with the communication directly to our professional doctor and nurse for the case of your consultation. In the package, we also include the PCR test and lab test for you in case you need it and the result is within the day. You can take a look of the package on the picture below. You don’t have to go anywhere, Hydro Medical Bali team will directly come to your place to do everything you need (in case of health) during the home-isolation period.

During home isolation process we are suggesting you to Spend as little time as possible in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat. Observe strict social distancing. Ask the people you live with to help by bringing your meals to your door, helping with cleaning and by giving you space. Use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household where possible. If a separate bathroom is not available, try and use the facilities last, before cleaning the bathroom using your usual cleaning products. The bathroom should be cleaned regularly. You should use separate towels from other household members, both for drying yourself after bathing or showering and for drying your hands. Keep your room well-ventilated by opening a window to the outside.

Use a face covering or a surgical mask when spending time in shared areas inside your home to minimise the risk of spread to others. Used correctly, they may help to protect others by reducing the transmission of COVID-19 but they do not replace the need to limit your contact with other household members. Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should be supported to minimise their contact with other people in the household during this period, regardless of whether others have symptoms or not

Things that you can do to help make staying at home easier:

• keep in touch with friends and family over the phone or through social media
• remember that physical exercise can be good for your wellbeing. Look for online classes or courses that can help you take light exercise in your home
• plan ahead and think about what you will need to be able to stay at home for the full duration
• ask your employer, friends and family for help to access the things you will need while staying at home
• think about and plan how you can get food and other supplies, such as medication, that you will need during this period
• check if your neighbourhood or local community has a volunteer system that could help bring you supplies or provide other support
• ask friends or family to drop off anything you need or order supplies online or by phone, making sure these are left outside your home for you to collect
• think about things you can do during your time at home such as cooking, reading, online learning and watching films
• many people find it helpful to plan out the full 10 days. You may also find it helpful to plan in advance what you will do if, for example, someone in your household were to feel much worse

We will always hope you in the safe and sound condition, lets hope that this pandemic will end soon and we can meet each other again without being afraid with the virus. Stay with the health protocols and stay safe!.

The post Guidance of Comfort COVID-19 Self Isolation at Home appeared first on Hydromed Bali | Canggu | Seminyak.

The circular was issued to clarify the COVID-19 testing requirements for domestic travelling, specifically which tests are needed to be able to travel and what are required to travel to specific areas. In regards to this latest circular, the use of the GeNose C19 test has been expanded to cover all modes of public transportation.

Recently, we are informing you this news about using Genose. Now we give you some updates on the new regulation that the government implement for us in here. The recent news told us that in accordance with the implementation of the emergency public restrictive order (PPKM Darurat) in Java and Bali, starting 3 July 2021 passengers traveling from and to the islands of Java and Bali are required to present a vaccination card with minimum first dose and a negative PCR Test results valid for maximum 2 (two) x 24 hours before departure.

Large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in Jakarta, most of Java Island and Bali, currently covering the period of 3-20 July. Essential services are available, but public activities (including schools, offices, religious activities, social and cultural gatherings and public transportation) continue to be limited to maintain social distancing. It is mandatory to wear a face mask when outside.

Criminal sanctions may apply for violations of the restrictions. Non-essential businesses are closed and the public are advised to work from home from 3-20 July. Public health measures by the Indonesian authorities include restrictions on in-country air travel. Foreign tourists continue to be able to travel on domestic flights within Indonesia to catch connecting international flights.

Negative results from PCR swab tests are now the only acceptable document for air travellers visiting Bali, Governor Wayan Koster announced today, with other not-so-reliable COVID-19 test methods believed to have contributed to the infected slipping through the cracks and into the island. “So we are tightening restrictions at Bali’s entry points, [those] traveling with air transportation must use PCR-based tests. They can no longer use GeNose,” Koster said.

Results from GeNose tests are no longer acceptable for those traveling by land or sea either, Koster added, though rapid antigen swab tests are still accepted for travelers going by these modes of transport. In April, Bali officials started allowing all travelers to present negative results from the locally developed GeNose COVID-19 test to enter the province. At the time, public health experts raised concerns about GeNose’s accuracy, and said it shouldn’t be used so widely. Along with the newly announced traveling requirements, all negative swab test results must also come with a QR code to prevent fake documentation, Koster said.

“Because there has been many fake [and] paid documentation. So they have the results but they have never gone through a swab test,” he said. The new requirements are applicable starting today, though officials are likely to implement a transition period for a few days before making it completely mandatory.

The governor said Bali has seen an increase in domestic travelers in the last few weeks, averaging between 8,000 and 9,000 people coming in via air transport, while around 10,000 people pass through Gilimanuk Port daily. After about a month of reporting less than 100 daily cases, Bali’s daily count rose to triple digits on June 19 and has been climbing up since. Indonesia is battling its fiercest coronavirus outbreak yet, setting a new daily record just yesterday with over 21,000 cases.

Passengers travelling on domestic flights will need:

• A PCR certificate issued to confirm that they are free of COVID-19. Your certificate should have a readable barcode or QR code.
• A completed airline travel declaration form where required.
• A completed Indonesian e-HAC form (online)
• Proof of vaccination in the form of a vaccination certificate showing at least 1 Covid vaccination having been administered.

For domestic air passengers, if flying to Bali, you will need:

• A negative PCR swab test result taken within 48 hours of departure to Bali and a completed e-HAC Indonesia form (online). Your negative PCR test certificate must contain a barcode or QR code. If you do not have a barcode/QR code on your certificate, you will be required to take an additional PCR test at the airport on arrival in Bali. GeNose test is no longer valid. For those arriving by sea a PCR test with 48 hr validity or a negative rapid test, again with 48hr validity is required.
• Your vaccination certificate showing at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine having been administered.
• If flying to Jakarta you will require a negative PCR swab test taken a maximum of 48 hours prior to departure for Jakarta and a completed e-HAC Indonesia form (online).
• Your vaccination certificate showing at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine having been administered.

INTERNATIONAL

Travelers entering Indonesia are required to adhere to the following.

1. All foreigners are temporarily prohibited from entering Indonesia except for those holding diplomatic visa, duty visa related to official visit of ministerial level or above, diplomatic stay visa, duty stay visa, temporary stay permit (KITAS), and permanent stay permit (KITAP).
2. Upon arrival, present a negative result of RT-PCR test taken at origin country maximum 3 (three) x 24 hours before departure.
3. Fill out an electronic health awareness card (e-HAC) which is available via the e-HAC Indonesia mobile application (Play Store | App Store) or http://sinkarkes.kemkes.go.id/ehac.
4. Upon arrival, travelers are required to take another RT-PCR test.
5. While waiting for the RT-PCR results, Indonesian citizens are required to be quarantined at facilities provided by the Government, whilst foreign citizens will be quarantined at certified accommodations (hotels/inns) at their own costs. RT-PCR tests will be performed again on the fifth day of quarantine, and if the results are negative, travelers may continue their journey.
6. In the case of a positive result of RT-PCR test, Indonesian will receive medical care in hospital at the Government costs, while foreigners will be at their own costs.

Destination Denpasar: must show a health certificate with a negative RT-PCR test/negative rapid antigen test result issued within a maximum period of 24 hours before departure.

The Indonesian Government is vaccinating by cluster. You may be eligible for vaccination at this time if you are resident in a tourist area particularly where large-scale vaccination programs are initiated where the tourist sector is looking to restart or are a resident in possession of the correct documentation (KITAP/KTP). Please note access to the vaccine varies across the country.

You are also advised to check with your local health provider and also your local Government Office as to the status of your local rollout and eligibility. You can access the vaccine through online travel agent that the government already provide for the foreigner who stay in Bali through pandemic.

You can make an online appointment as it could make it easier to you than go directly to the hospital. We have been through this pandemic over a year and we already really tired with this pandemic. Especially Bali, which is rely it’s economic on the tourism side. Together we hope that this pandemic would be end soon so we can see and serve you again here in Bali. Stay safe every one!

The post For Covid-19 testing, only PCR Test Results Accepted for Air Travelers Visiting Bali appeared first on Hydromed Bali | Canggu | Seminyak.

PLEASE WEAR MASK ALL THE TIME, follow all the regulations & health protocols from the governments.

All visits to Bali (either Domestic or International) must have PCR test – antigen test 3×24 hours (no longer than 7 days!). Check the full information regarding countries that are banned to enter Bali.

For those Travelers hoping to explore Bali this summer will have to wait a little longer as the Indonesian government just delayed the island’s reopening amid a rise in COVID-19 cases. In an interview on Monday, Indonesia’s tourism minister said the country will wait until cases fall significantly before welcoming international visitors again. Bali’s economy, which heavily depends on tourism, has been deeply impacted by the pandemic, but the government is still taking a cautious approach to reopening.

“We were targeting end of July, beginning of August, but we just have to be mindful of where we are in this recent spike [in coronavirus cases],” Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and the Cultural Economy, Sandiaga Uno, said. “We will be waiting for the situation to be more conducive.” In recent weeks, the number of COVID-19 infections has steadily risen across all of Indonesia, including in Bali, where case numbers have quadrupled from about 50 per day to about 200 daily, according to official data, Reuters reported.

Uno said he wanted to hold off on reopening Bali until the COVID-19 caseload was about 30 or 40 per day. However, there are some lingering questions about the true number of COVID-19 infections in Bali, where testing rates are well below recommendations from the World Health Organization. In order to help kickstart tourism in Bali and isolate the island from the pandemic, Indonesia now requires domestic travellers to present a negative PCR test before entering. The government has also focused its vaccination efforts on Bali.

Approximately 71% of Balinese people have already received their first vaccine dose, while Uno says the island could reach its goal of full vaccination for 70% of the population by the end of July. In recent years, Bali has become a hot spot for digital nomads. While Indonesia intends to attract more temporary visitors, it also plans to offer a new visa specifically for remote workers. Under the new proposal, people who own or work for companies outside of Indonesia will be able to stay in the country on a five-year visa. “If they earn income within Indonesia, they will be taxed, but if it’s solely from overseas there will be zero tax,” Uno said.

The chief minister asked about the reopening of Bali when he announced the imminent application by Java and Bali of the tightened restrictions. Related Indonesia imposes emergency PPKM to fight COVID-19 outbreak, and it’s closest thing we’ve had to a lockdown. As for Bali, I think you can answer it yourself, Luhut said at the press conference this afternoon. There’s no way to reopen with this Delta variant, so we weren’t even thinking about it now. At the moment I was thinking about how to reduce [the COVID-19 crisis]. The government of President Joko Widodos today announced the toughest restrictions the country has seen during the pandemic, called the emergency enforcement of restrictions on public activities (PPKM emergency or Emergency PPKM in Indonesian), which is due to go into effect from July 3 to 20 and can be extended after re-examination.

Bali, along with other provinces in Java, will implement the emergency PPKM, which only requires takeout and delivery orders for restaurants, the closure of shopping malls and public facilities, as well as a Comprehensive Home Work Policy (WFH) for all workers in essential non-sectors, among other restrictions.

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno, who oversaw plans to reopen Bali to international tourists, recently hinted at a delay. Nevertheless, hotel and tourism operators still hoped for a reopening in July if it was accompanied by high vaccination rates and strict adherence to health precautions. The government did not say when it would be safe to reopen Bali to international tourists. The province reported 311 new cases of coronavirus today. This is the highest daily number of infections since the daily infection rate rose to triple digits on June 19, after about a month of fewer than 100 new cases per day.

If you wonder about the newest regulations for travellers here are some insights for you. As per 25 April 2020, Indonesian government has banned all foreign arrivals and transits to Indonesian this of course includes Bali. Only travelers with a valid working permit and diplomats are allowed to enter and visit Bali.

These are the exception list that can visit Bali.

1. Foreigners who hold Indonesian Temporary Stay Permit (KITAP) or Permanent Stay Permit (KITAS),
2. Foreigners who hold Indonesian Diplomatic Visa or Service Visa,
3. Foreigners who hold Indonesian Diplomatic Stay Permit or Service Stay Permit,
4. Medical, food and humanitarian aid support workers,
5. The crew of means of transport,
6. People whose travel is associated with essential work for national strategies projects such as infrastructure or constructions.

Those foreigners in the list above must provide the following requirements:

1. a certificate of health (in English) issued by their local government’s health authority, shows negative results for COVID-19 from a swab test based on the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
2. the foreigners must have stayed for 14 days in areas which not affected by COVID-19 outbreak before entering, evidenced by an immigration stamp or boarding pass,
3. statement of willingness to enter quarantine for 14 days in facilities provided by the Indonesian government.

Once Bali is open again for tourism, the risk to get infected in Bali might be as low or high as in any other place in the world. Indonesian authorities and particularly the ones in Bali have shown that they take the situation very seriously, and did shut down quickly bars and clubs, that did not enforce the safety regulations enough, or where the guests lacked discipline.

Bali is an “outdoor place”. The majority of restaurants in Bali are semi or even full open-air venues.  People are rarely indoors or in areas where there is no ventilation and fresh air. The virus is airborne and studies showed, that most mass-spreading happened in closed environments. Even during mass events and demonstrations that happened outdoor, no significant increase of infections has been reported. For now, we just can hope that the pandemic will end soon so the travel restriction could be erased by the government. Bali is having a really hard time right now, and we can not wait to see you as soon as possible to help us out from this hard situation.

The post Bali’s International Flights for Tourism Reopening All but Delayed appeared first on Hydromed Bali | Canggu | Seminyak.

Along with the history of the king who led and his historical legacy.

The Kingdom of Bali was a series of Hindu–Buddhist kingdoms that once ruled some parts of the volcanic island of Bali, in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia.

With a history of native Balinese kingship spanning from the early 10th to early 20th centuries, Balinese kingdoms demonstrated sophisticated Balinese court culture where native elements of spirit and ancestral reverence combined with Hindu influences – adopted from India through ancient Java intermediary – flourished, enriched and shaped the Balinese culture.

Because of its proximity and close cultural relations with the neighbouring Java island during the Indonesian Hindu-Buddhist period, the history of Bali Kingdom was often intertwined and heavily influenced by its Javanese counterparts, from Medang c. 9th century to Majapahit empire in 13th to 15th centuries.

The culture, language, arts and architecture of the island was influenced by Java. Javanese influences and presences grew even stronger prompted with the fall of Majapahit empire in the late 15th century. After the empire fell to its Muslim vassal of Demak Sultanate, a number of Hindu Majapahit courtiers, nobles, priests and artisans, found refuge on the island of Bali. As a result, Bali became what historian Ramesh Chandra Majumdar describes as the last stronghold of Indo-Javanese culture and civilisation.

The Balinese Kingdom in subsequent centuries expanded their influence to neighbouring islands. The Balinese Kingdom of Gelgel for example extended their influences to Blambangan region in eastern end of Java, neighbouring island of Lombok, as far as western part of Sumbawa island, while Karangasem established their rule on western Lombok in later period.

Since the mid-19th century, the colonial state of Dutch East Indies began its involvements in Bali, as they launched their campaign against Balinese minor kingdoms one by one. By the early 20th century, the Dutch has completed their conquest of Bali as these minor kingdoms fell under their control, either by force resulted in Puputan fighting followed by mass ritual suicide, or surrendered graciously to the Dutch. Either way, despite some of these Balinese royal houses still surviving, these events ended a millennium of the native Balinese independent kingdoms, as the local government changed to Dutch colonial administration, and later to provincial government of Bali within the Republic of Indonesia.

The historical period in Bali started c. 8th century, marked by the discovery of inscribed Buddhist votive clay tablets. These Buddhist votive tablets, found in small clay stupa figurines called “stupikas“, are the first known written inscriptions in Bali and date from around the 8th century CE. Such stupikas have been found in the regency of Gianyar, in the villages of Pejeng, Tatiapi and Blahbatuh.  The bell-shaped stupikas bears resemblances to the style of the 8th-century stupas of Central Javanese Buddhist art found in Borobudur and other Buddhist temples dated from that period, which suggested the Sailendra link to the Buddhist pilgrims or inhabitant of early Bali’s history. The Belanjong pillar in Sanur (914), one of the earliest inscriptions in Bali

In the early 10th century, a king called Sri Kesari Warmadewa issued the Belanjong pillar inscription found near the southern strip of Sanur beach. It is the oldest inscription found in Bali that names the ruler who issued it. The pillar is dated 914 CE according to the Indian Saka calendar. Three other inscriptions by Kesari are known in central Bali, which suggest conflict in the mountainous interior of the island. Sri Kesari is first known ruler to bear the Warmadewa title, which was used by rulers for several generations prior to Javanese expansion.

It is not known precisely where the capital of the kingdom was during the 10th and 11th centuries, but the political, religious and cultural centre of the kingdom may have been in the present-day Gianyar Regency, inferred from the concentration of archaeological finds in this area. The stone cave temple and bathing place of Goa Gajah, near Ubud in Gianyar, was made around the same period. It shows a combination of Buddhist and Hindu Shivaite iconography. Several carvings of stupas, stupikas (small stupas), and image of Boddhisattvas suggested that Warmadewa dynasty was the patron of Mahayana Buddhism. Nevertheless, Hinduism is also practised in Bali during this period.

After knowing the base background of Balinese Kingdom, Let’s get to know one example of the history of the Bali Kingdom in this case we will talk about Kingdom of Bedahul or Bedulu as the first kingdom that stood in the Bali region. The Bali Kingdom was founded around the 8th century to the 14th century. The center of this kingdom is in Pejeng or Bedulu, Gianyar. Referring to history, the Bali Kingdom was led by a group of aristocrats whose leadership was known as Sri Kesari Warmadewa.

According to several inscriptions found, this kingdom was led by kings from the Warmadewa dynasty. The most famous king in the Bali Kingdom is Dharmodhayana Warmadewa who has ruled since 989. He led the kingdom with his empress named Mahendradatha or Gunapriyadharmaptani until 1001. The empress died and was immortalized in a temple located in Berusan Village, or in the southeast of the Bedulu region. Her statue which is the embodiment of Goddess Durga is found in the area of Kutri (Gianyar).

The king Dharmodhayana Warmadewa continued to rule the kingdom until 1011 AD. He died and was rested in a temple at Banu Wka, but until now his whereabouts are unknown. Dharmodhayana and Mahendradatha’s marriage gave birth to a son named Airlangga, who later married a Dharmawangsa daughter and became king on the island of Java, another son named Marakata. After the death of his father, the throne was inherited by a prince named Marakata who had the title Dharmodhyana Wangsawardhana Marakata Panjakasthana Uttunggadewa from 1011 to 1022.

His leadership is highly respected and loved because of his great concern for the people. Because of his glory, he is even considered the incarnation of legal truth. He also built a hermitage (prasada) on Mount Kawi which is located close to the Tampak Siring Palace. The building has a unique characteristic in the form of carvings resembling a temple. At the bottom there is a cave hermitage. Until now, the hermitage building is still well preserved and is also one of the tourist attractions favorited by tourists in Bali.

After Marakata’s legacy, the throne was passed on to his son, Anak Wungsu, from 1049 to 1077. Anak Wungsu left 28 inscriptions and was the largest number of inscriptions compared to the kings who had ruled before. Anak Wungsu has no children. He died and was later offered in the area of Gunung Kawi. In 1430, the Bali Kingdom was led by Raja Dalem Bedahul, before being controlled by Gajah Mada from Majapahit.

Wow such a history! But we will not talk about just the past for you. If you are so interested to look around the Balinese Kingdom and its Inheritance you can still find it in nowadays. There are several relics of the Bali Kingdom that we can visit today, including:

• Blanjong Inscription
• Panglapuan Inscription
• Gunung Panulisan Inscription
• Relic inscriptions of Anak Wungsu
• Padas Temple at Gunung Kawi
• Pura Agung Besakih
• Mengening Temple
• Wasan Temple

If you visit Bali later and wants to see or to know more than what you found in this article, you can visit the places above to learn about Balinese Kingdom. Be ready to feel mesmerize by what you will see and hear about the story of Balinese Kingdom from the local guide or citizen. See you soon in Bali!

The post The Great Kings of Balinese Kingdoms and Their Inheritance appeared first on Hydromed Bali | Canggu | Seminyak.