Jayapura (ANTARA) - Papua province will implement activity restrictions to stem the spread of COVID-19, head of the provincial COVID-19 prevention and handling task force, William Manderi, has informed.

The form of restrictions that will be implemented will depend on the result of the Papua governor's meeting with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), Manderi told ANTARA here on Friday.

The meeting will determine whether or not the restrictions will be implemented over the entire province, he said.

Activity restrictions to stem the spread of COVID-19 are especially important given Papua's plans to host the National Sports Week (PON) XX and National Para Games (Peparnas), he added.

The four locations where PON XX will be held are Jayapura City, Jayapura District, Merauke, and Timika.

Beyond implementing community activity restrictions, the provincial task force has also rolled out a vaccination program to help achieve herd immunity. he said.

Manderi, who is also head of Papua's Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), also urged citizens to comply with the health protocols.

Meanwhile, head of PT. Pelni's Jayapura branch, Whendy, admitted that the company will no longer sell tickets to customers wishing to travel to other regions starting August 1.

The decision has been made in order to anticipate the implementation of the community activity restrictions, he explained.

As of Thursday (July 29, 2021), the number of COVID-19 cases in Papua have reached 34,726, with 26,873 people recovering, 7,018 undergoing treatment, and 835 dying of the disease.

The Indonesian government has implemented community activity restrictions (PPKM) in Java and Bali to stem the spread of COVID-19 since July 3, 2021.

The PPKM, which was previously imposed till July 25, has been extended until August 2, 2021.

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Translator: Evarukdijati, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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