Denies Escape From PON Papua With Athletes After Positive COVID-19, Jambi Company: We Arrived, PCR Test Results Out

JAKARTA - The General Secretary of the Jambi Provincial Board (Pengprov) of the Indonesian Roller Skate Sports Association (Perserosi) Jambi Irwadi Kopli denied that he and athlete Rafi Akbar fled from the XX Papua PON arena after their PCR swab test results were positive for COVID-19.

"We are both already in Jambi and not in Papua anymore because the PON XX Papua roller skate competition ended a few weeks ago. When we returned to Jambi the PCR test results had not yet come out, but when we arrived in Jambi there were only the results, and it was known positive. Currently, both of us are undergoing isolation at the isolation house belonging to the Jambi Provincial Government, LPMP," Irwadi told Antara, Wednesday.

"The two of us have been isolated for almost a week, and so far our condition is quite healthy because there are no symptoms or people without symptoms, but the PCR results are positive for COVID-19, and for up to 14 days we will undergo isolation at the Jambi LPMP which has been assigned by the task force team. COVID-19 Jambi Province.

"I and Rafi ask for prayers to stay healthy and be able to undergo isolation in the Jambi LPMP building, and be able to get together with family soon after returning from PON XX in Papua," added Irwadi.

Previously, as many as 16 athletes, coaches and Jambi officials, including three athletes who won gold medals at XX Papua PON, upon arrival in Jambi immediately underwent isolation at the Jambi LPMP integrated isolation house for five days.

Jambi KONI General Secretary Mumtaz Mona said the entire Jambi contingent had just arrived from Papua after participating in the XX PON, they were required to undergo five days of isolation. After that, they were allowed to return to their respective homes.

According to him, this was done in accordance with the decision from the Jambi Province COVID-19 task force team and the Jambi Regional Police Chief's letter requesting that all Jambi contingents for the Papua PON must undergo isolation in the Jambi LPMP integrated isolation house.

The 16 athletes were not allowed to go straight home, but had to undergo isolation first according to a letter from the Jambi Regional Police Chief. Upon arrival at the airport, the PON contingent was then picked up and immediately taken to the Jambi LPMP building to carry out isolation for five days.

"In the next five days, they will be isolated at the Jambi LPMP, in accordance with the directions of the Jambi Regional Police and the COVID-19 Task Force team," explained Mumtaz.