Those who were found infected during PON XX will immediately be isolated and will only be permitted to return home after their test result is negative.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government will ensure that participants of the Papua National Sports Week (PON) XX who have been infected with COVID-19 recover before they return home, government COVID-19 handling spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito has said.

"Those found infected during PON XX will immediately be isolated and will only be permitted to return home after their test result is negative," he informed during a press conference on COVID-19 handling development here on Tuesday.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and as a precautionary measure, members of each contingent, even though they have undergone a COVID-19 detection test before traveling, must still take the test twice after arriving home, he said.

In addition, members of all contingents should also quarantine for five days in facilities provided by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force or the local government, he said.

If their first test result is negative, then on the fourth day of the quarantine, they must retake the PCR test, Adisasmito said. If anyone tests positive, then the contingent should undergo isolation or treatment at a nearby COVID-19 referral hospital, he said.

This regulation was stipulated by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force's Circulation Letter No. 17 of 2021 on Domestic Traveling, which will remain valid until October 31, 2021, he informed.

Related news: 83 COVID-19 cases detected at XX Papua PON

As of October 11, 2021, around 83 COVID-19 positive cases have been detected among the almost 10 thousand people participating in Papua PON XX, he noted.

Thus far, the Health Ministry has attributed the emergence of positive cases during PON XX to interactions between participants in bedrooms, while eating together, while watching PON matches, and celebrating victories.

In addition to preparations prior to Papua PON XX and intensive monitoring during the event, the government is also monitoring participants who have finished their activities amid the event and returned home, Adisasmito, said.

After Papua PON XX, the government will carry out an evaluation of the event's execution, such as the application of routine tests before matches and before returning home, and the provision of special quarantine facilities for those coming in close contact with infected people, he said.

"Based on our experience in holding PON XX, we have learned that proper planning is the most crucial component for holding a big event amid the storm of COVID-19," he affirmed.

In addition, the evaluation conducted after Papua PON XX will serve as the foundation for the preparation of future events, he added.

Related news: No significant spike in COVID-19 cases during Papua PON: Minister







Translator: Martha S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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