On July 19 (2021), Papua Governor Lukas Enembe along with his counterparts from all over Indonesia held a virtual meeting with President Joko Widodo to discuss the country's COVID-19 pandemic situation
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The Papua administration has asked residents to be prepared for a month-long lockdown in August, 2021 after the micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM Mikro) end on July 25.



During the lockdown, all entry points to Papua province would be closed to curb an exponential increase in COVID-19 infections in communities, spokesperson for the Papua governor, Muhammad Rifai Darus, said.



The detailed rules of the lockdown, which would entail the closure of airports and seaports from August 1 to August 31, 2021, were deliberated at the Papua COVID-19 Task Force's meeting on Wednesday, he informed.


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"On July 19 (2021), Papua Governor Lukas Enembe along with his counterparts from all over Indonesia held a virtual meeting with President Joko Widodo to discuss the country's COVID-19 pandemic situation," he said.



Following the meeting with President Widodo, Governor Enembe initiated a meeting with his subordinates to discuss Papua's COVID-19 pandemic situation, he added.



Enembe issued a letter, No.440/7736/SET, notifying the enforcement of PPKM Mikro until July 25, 2021, Darus said.



The Papua administration has been regularly evaluating the enforcement of the PPKM Mikro, but the governor has instructed all authorities to intensify coordinated COVID-19 mitigation efforts, he added.



Papua will host this year's PON National Games, due to take place in Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke from October 2 to October 15, 2021, as well as the National Para Games (Peparnas) that will be held from November 2 to November 15.


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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, according to Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali.


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Translator: Hendrina DK, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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