Coordinating Minister For Human Development And Culture Invites Papuans To Accelerate Vaccination Ahead Of PON

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy invites the participation of residents in Papua to accelerate vaccination ahead of the XX National Sports Week (PON) on October 2-15.

"I ask for the participation of all Papuans in accelerating vaccination because currently it is still 51 percent for the Papua region. If possible, it will reach 80 percent during the PON later," he said, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, September 8.

Muhadjir said the COVID-19 vaccination in Papua was not only for the sake of case control, but also for the success of the PON implementation.

Muhadjir emphasized that the acceleration of vaccination is important so that the public can watch the match and support the athletes directly in every arena in Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, Merauke Regency, and Timika.

"If it is considered safe and really possible, the PON could be opened to spectators with certain conditions. Because this is a sports party, if there are no spectators, it's like not using side dishes," he continued.

By opening access for the audience, according to Muhadjir, it will affect the economic activity of the community.

Because, he said, even though it is still in a state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government hopes that PON can be a momentum to revive the Papuan economy.

"What is clear is that health protocols must also be strictly adhered to while we look around and consider whether it can be watched or not, who can watch, and what conditions will have to be fulfilled by them for each event from PON," he said.