Jayapura Mayor Asks Papua Provincial Government To Close Entry Access Due To COVID-19 Soaring

DOC ANTARA/Mayor of Jayapura Benhur Tomi Mami (BTM)

JAYAPURA - Jayapura Mayor, Benhur Tomi Mami, asked the Papua Provincial Government to immediately carry out a limited closure or lockdown due to the increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in several areas including Jayapura City.

"I hope that the Papua Provincial Government will immediately issue regulations and close travel agents considering that currently, COVID-19 cases continue to increase", said Benhur Tomi, quoted by Antara, Monday, July 5.

Especially for the increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in Jayapura City, initially, it had subsided so that the Papuan Education Quality Assurance Institution (LPMP) in Kotaraja which was a shelter for residents undergoing centralized quarantine was reopened.

Last April, the positive cases of COVID-19 had dropped, but after Lebaran, when the homecoming flow began to increase, so far, his party hopes for temporary closure.

Moreover, next October will be held PON XX (National Sports Week) will be held in four districts and cities including Jayapura City so that it is hoped that with a limited closure specifically for travelers, it can again suppress the spread of the virus.

"Without a temporary closure of travelers, it will be difficult to control COVID-19 cases", said Benhur Tomi.

According to him, specifically for Jayapura City, at this time, antigen re-examination has been applied to passengers who disembark at the Jayapura port.

The COVID-19-related checks were carried out because many passengers were found to be exposed, said Benhur Tomi. Until Sunday, July 4 cumulatively there were 9,665 positive residents, 9,096 recovered, 400 people were treated and 169 people died.

Currently, 126 people are undergoing centralized quarantine at the Papuan Education Quality Assurance Institution and one person has been referred to the hospital, said Mayor Benhur Tomi.