Jayapura City Government To Close City Boundaries Due To Increased COVID-19 Cases

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

JAYAPURA - The Jayapura City Government will close the city boundary with two districts due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. Cumulatively, 9,773 people have tested positive for COVID-19.

"I have written to the Papua Provincial Government and proposed closing the city limits to suppress the spread of COVID-19, which is currently increasing in Jayapura City," said Jayapura Mayor Benhur Tomi Mano, quoted by Antara, Friday, July 9.

In addition to asking for closures at the city limits, it is also proposed to conduct operational closures at airports and ports.

Closures and restrictions on community activities need to be implemented in order to suppress the spread of the virus, especially in October, a four-year sports event, namely PON XX, will be held in four districts and cities in Papua, including Jayapura City.

However, until now the Jayapura City Government's request has not been responded to by the Papua Provincial Government, so it is likely that a temporary closure will be imposed on the city limits, said BTM, adding that Jayapura City itself borders Jayapura Regency and Keerom Regency.

The Jayapura City Government is currently limiting economic and community activities until 20.00 WIT and together with the TNI-Polri carrying out vaccines so that more and more city residents are vaccinated against COVID-19, said BTM.

BTM said that in addition to closing the city limits, it also asked the RT/RW to be active again in limiting the activities of the community around their environment.

The COVID-19 Prevention and Handling Task Force will also carry out patrols and take action against recalcitrant people, said BTM.

Currently, there are 468 people being treated for COVID-19, including 166 of whom are undergoing centralized quarantine at the LPMP Kotaraja and 172 people have died.