Ensure PON Continues Despite COVID-19 Cases, Head Of Central KONI: Small Transmission Risk, Athletes Have Recovered And Have Returned

Head of the Central KONI, Marciano Norman (second from left) after giving a statement to the media (Photo: ponxx2021papua.com//Selviani Bu'tu)

JAKARTA - Based on data from PB PON XX, as many as 23 athletes and officials from various regions were exposed to COVID-19. However, the General Chairman of the Central KONI, Marciano Norman, emphasized that the national annual grand sporting event will continue.

This athlete was detected as exposed when undergoing PCR examination, when he wanted to return to his home area or had already held a match. Once detected, the athlete immediately undergoes follow-up examinations and treatment.

“The athlete is in good health. Usually asymptomatic. The risk of transmission is small, has recovered and has gone home. So at this time, don't look at PON, how come there is COVID. There are more than 6,200 guest athletes, nearly a thousand hosts. So 15 thousand people came, but only 23 people were exposed to COVID-19," Marciano said in a press statement quoted from the official website of PON Papua, Thursday.

So Marciano asked the entire contingent not to worry about this finding, because PON will continue even if someone is exposed. Because some of those who were exposed had already carried out the match.

Strict procedures will continue to be applied, especially the 25 percent audience limit. However, the public's interest in favorite sports is difficult to contain, so the main condition will be applied, namely that the audience has been vaccinated. Athletes who will compete must swab the day before competing.