Papua PON COVID-19 Cases Continue To Increase, Luhut: No Significant Surge

JAKARTA - The findings of COVID-19 cases during the XX Papua PON continues to increase every day. This is in line with the increase in population mobility from Java and Bali to Papua in order to attend and compete in the event.

However, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said this finding did not result in a spike in COVID-19 cases in Papua.

"However, in the ongoing implementation of the PON, there was no significant spike in cases during this event," Luhut said in a virtual press conference, Monday, October 11.

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus after the contingent and all committees return to their area of origin, the government implements a protocol mechanism in accordance with the Task Force Circular No. 17 of 2021. Then, the government will evaluate the Papua PON event.

"The implementation of this PON will be a lesson for the implementation of other big events later," said Luhut.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto also explained that out of 83 people who were exposed to COVID-19 in the middle of the XX Papua PON, athletes were dominated. While the rest, consisting of officials, referees, and journalists who are doing the coverage.

"The athletes are 72 percent; officials are 23 percent, coaches (coaches) are 1.5 percent, referees are 1.5 percent and there are journalists who cover. Some athletes in sports, which are quite a lot (exposed to COVID-19, ed) are 9 judo athletes, rollerblading. Then seven motocross, archery, and cricket athletes," said Airlangga.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the increase in active cases in the middle of the sports competition was caused by a number of things. Including, due to the athletes sleeping in a room occupied by more than two people.

"Our observations show that the transmission was caused by four people in the athlete's room inn," said Budi.