Reky D. Ambrauw, head of Papua's Transportation Office, stated here on Thursday that the airport will only be reopened for two-way direct flights between Jakarta and Jayapura and be served by five airlines: Garuda, Lion Air, City Link, Sriwijaya, and Batik Air.
"The flights are direct or on non-transit routes. In accordance with the health protocols, each aircraft will carry only 50 percent of the total passenger capacity," he remarked.
The obligation to fly only 50 percent of the total passenger capacity is in adherence with the social distancing rule.
"The arrangements in connection with the flow of passengers into and out of (airports and planes) will also be regulated by involving relevant agencies at the airport," he explained.
Each airline will be permitted to serve one flight per week, so arrangements at the airport can be more effective, he noted.
In the meantime, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, new normal protocols can be applied in at least seven Indonesian provinces, as per indicators, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartanto stated.
The indicators are based on epidemiological parameters that show the growth of coronavirus transmission, or the Basic Reproduction Number (R0), which has registered a low value in several areas.
"According to data from Bappenas (the National Development Planning Agency), several areas, specifically, Aceh, Riau, North Kalimantan, Maluku, Jambi, and Jakarta, will be ready on June 4, 2020, while West Java and some other provinces are enacting social restrictions until May 29, 2020,” Hartanto remarked after a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo on Wednesday.
Taking into account the current situation, it would be feasible to commence production activities with the implementation of health protocols through coordination between local authorities, the COVID-19 Task Force, and Ministry of Health, he added. Related news: Jokowi discusses new normal preparations with eight interfaith leaders
Related news: Central Java: Govt, ulemas mull new normal protocols for mosques
Translator: Hendrina DK,Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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