As such, PON XX can run in Papua in accordance with the standard operating procedure and improve the reputation of Papua as the host of PON XX to make it a success
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian police and military have accelerated COVID-19 vaccinations in Mimika district, Papua province ahead of the opening of the 20th National Sports Week (PON XX), which is scheduled for next month.

As part of the vaccination efforts, vice chief of National Police, Commissioner General Gatot Eddy Pramono, and vice chief of Papua provincial police, Brigadier General Eko Budi Sudarto, reviewed the vaccination of residents living in the vicinity of the Mimika district police office on Wednesday.

Pramono praised healthcare workers for their sincerity in providing vaccination services to local residents.

The Indonesian police, military, and local health office have called on the local people to get vaccinated in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

"As such, PON XX can run in Papua in accordance with the standard operating procedure and improve the reputation of Papua as the host of PON XX to make it a success,” he said.

In addition, the Papua provincial police have made security arrangements in accordance with the standard operating procedures for PON XX in Papua.

He said police and military personnel, with the help of volunteers and stakeholders, will provide comprehensive security during PON XX.

The COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee (KPC-PEN) has issued some directives on the implementation of health protocols to the organizing committees of the PON XX and 2021 World Superbike organizing committees.


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It is hoped that the events will not give rise to new COVID-19 clusters, KPC-PEN chief Airlangga Hartarto said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The XX PON will take place from October 2-15, 2021 in Papua province, while the 2021 World Superbike will be held from November 12-14, 2021 in Mandalika, Central Lombok district, West Nusa Tenggara province.

"Ahead of XX Papua PON, the vaccination coverage in the host districts and city will be encouraged to reach 70 percent," the minister said.

The vaccination coverage for the first dose at the four PON event venues – Jayapura, Merauke, and Mimika districts as well as Jayapura city -- has reached 56 percent, meanwhile, the coverage of the second dose has reached 35 percent, he noted.


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The KPC-PEN chief further informed that the number of spectators at the XX Papua PON will be limited to a maximum of 25 percent of the total capacity of each sports venue.

Moreover, the spectators will be required to have been vaccinated – either partially or fully, he said.

Events from 37 sports and 56 disciplines as well as 681 matches will take place at 44 international standard venues during PON, he noted. Meanwhile, at least 2,239 medals will be contested by 7,199 participating athletes, he added.

In addition, the national sporting event will be supported by 3,580 officials; 60 technical delegates; 1,147 national and 30 foreign referees; as well as 53 organizing committees, Hartarto said.


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Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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