In order to welcome PON, health protocols should continually be strengthened, including the distribution of masks and acceleration of vaccinationsPapua (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) continues to endeavor to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations to ensure the smooth running of the 2021 National Sports Week (PON) in Papua .
"In order to welcome PON, health protocols should continually be strengthened, including the distribution of masks and acceleration of vaccinations," Head of BNPB Ganip Warsito said as quoted from the official InfoPublik website here, Thursday.
According to Warsito, the government is currently expediting vaccinations to ensure the smooth running of Papua PON that involves thousands of athletes from across the country.
According to the Ministry of Health's data, as of Tuesday (September 28), vaccination coverage for the first dose in PON areas had surpassed 50 percent.
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In detail, the first-dose vaccination coverage in Jayapura District had reached 58 percent and second-dose vaccination coverage had touched 36 percent; the first-dose vaccination in Jayapura City had reached 65 percent, while the second-dose vaccination rate was recorded at 39 percent. Furthermore, Mimika District has achieved a vaccination coverage of 61 percent for the first dose and 42 percent for the second dose of vaccination.
In Merauke District, vaccination was administered to 70 percent of its population for the first dose and 44 percent for the second dose.
Despite the first-dose vaccination coverage in those areas having surpassed the 50-percent figure, the BNPB has continued to urge all related stakeholders to always encourage the public to remain disciplined in following health protocols.
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"I call on everyone to stay disciplined in complying with the health protocols," he remarked.
Lastly, Warsito stated that Papua had met the home affairs minister's requirements on organizing big events amid the pandemic, including achieving at least a 50-percent vaccination coverage.
The XX PON 2021 will be held on October 2-15, 2021. At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia are expected to participate in Papua's PON National Games that will feature 37 events.
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Translator: Muhammad Zulfikar, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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