"The lockdown will be imposed by considering several factors, including an upward COVID-19 trend," assistant for economic and people's prosperity affairs for the Papua provincial government, Muhammad Musaad, said.
The detailed rules for the enforcement of the partial lockdown are being deliberated by the authorities, he informed in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, on Thursday.
Referring to reports made by agencies, he said the current COVID-19 surge in Papua can partly be blamed on public mobility, especially the arrival of non-Papua residents at seaports. The lockdown is also being mulled in view of two sporting events, he added.
Ahead of the convening of Papua's 2021 PON National Games in October and National Para Games in November this year, local residents in Jayapura city and four districts will need to get vaccinated, as requested by President Joko Widodo, he pointed out.
In keeping with the President's request, the Papua administration is keen to intensify mass vaccination drives in Jayapura city and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, Merauke, and Keerom, Musaad informed.
"We do not want to have additional COVID-19 cases," he remarked.
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Papua's 2021 PON National Games are scheduled to take place from October 2 to October 15, 2021, while the National Para Games (Peparnas) will be held from November 2 to November 15.
At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia are expected to participate in Papua's PON National Games, which will feature 37 events. Meanwhile, 1,935 athletes and 740 officials will take part in the National Para Games in Jayapura City and Jayapura district, which will feature 12 events.
To ensure the safety of athletes and officials participating in the PON National Games and National Para Games, President Widodo has asked the concerned agencies to inoculate all athletes.
He has also instructed that local residents living near all venues of the sporting events and athletes' villages be vaccinated, Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali said.
Speaking at the online press conference shortly after attending a limited cabinet meeting with the President on Tuesday, Amali said mass vaccination drives for the targeted recipients need to be intensified.
To this end, mass vaccinations will be ramped up in Papua province to achieve the government's goal of inoculating all targeted recipients by August this year, he said.
Related news: Obeying health protocols is key to successful convening of Papua's PON
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Translator: Hendrina DK, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
