National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo has urged the national defense force, police, and local governments in Papua to increase the COVID-19 vaccination rate to support the upcoming XX National Sports Week.

The sports week will take place from October 2 to October 15, 2021.

The government has allowed entry of spectators and capped attendance at 25 percent of a stadium’s capacity for the XX PON, provided the spectators have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, he observed, according to a statement from the police’s public relations division received here on Thursday.

The provision of the second dose of vaccination needs to be accelerated to prevent COVID-19 transmission during Papua XX PON, Prabowo said.

He said he has received reports from staff serving in three Papua XX PON venues—Mimika, Keerom and Jayapura.

The police chief requested that the vaccination rate in Mimika arena be increased to a minimum of 70 percent.

He said he has received data showing that 70 percent of the population in Keerom has been vaccinated and lauded the development. He also directed his ranks to ensure that all PON spectators have received both vaccine doses.

“Then make sure the people of Keerom who come to the nearest venue have really been vaccinated. This is (a task) for all of us, and our partners have been able to face the existing obstacles. I appreciate the hard work of all of you; I believe it is not easy to vaccinate in each of the areas,” said Prabowo.

He further said that a special strategy is necessary to push the vaccination rate in Jayapura.

“From the existing reports from the team, it is necessary to have a strategy, from situational to door-to-door (methods). Therefore, all strategies must really be carried out,” he stressed.

The police chief also commanded his staff to disseminate information to the public about the vaccination requirement for spectators.

Additionally, the national defense force and police force must also open vaccine outlets near the match locations so that people who have not been vaccinated can be served properly, and thus, they can also meet the requirements for watching matches in person, Prabowo said.

“Please inform the public about this, so that the people who watch are confirmed to have been vaccinated twice. This is all done to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, because (where) there is a crowd that, whether we like it or not, has the potential to cause COVID-19 transmission,” he added.

He also urged the public to get vaccinated so they can watch their favorite sport at the national event.

Vaccination is also necessary to increase public immunity against the threat of COVID-19 transmission, Prabowo said.

“When the sport is a favorite for the Papuan people and then our team enters the final, the community can watch live under the condition (that they) must be vaccinated twice. Those who are still in doubt, don’t be afraid, because this vaccine is given to increase people’s immunity against the threat of COVID-19. And don’t forget to wear a mask,” he remarked.

Source: Antara News