The XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) 2021 has led to an increase in the COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Papua, head of Papua province’s Health Office, Robby Kayame, said here on Thursday.

Residents have become more enthusiastic about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, especially after the government made it mandatory for PON spectators, he informed.

“This (PON) momentum has motivated residents to get vaccinated because those who can enter (the PON venues) are those who have received the COVID-19 vaccination,” Kayame said.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo had instructed that the vaccination coverage in the four PON areas reach 70 percent before the opening of PON on October 2, 2021.

However, according to data from the Ministry of Health, as of September 30, 2021, the vaccination coverage in the areas has not yet reached the 70-percent mark. Nonetheless, it has surpassed the 50 percent figure for the first dose vaccination, Kayame said.

In Jayapura district, the first-dose vaccination coverage has reached 58.90 percent and second-dose vaccination coverage 36.86 percent, as per ministry data. In Jayapura city, the first-dose vaccination has reached 65.70 percent and second-dose vaccinations 39.52 percent.

Meanwhile, Mimika district has achieved a vaccination coverage of 61.62 percent for the first dose and 43.18 percent for the second vaccination dose.

In Merauke district, the first dose has been administered to 71.34 percent and the second dose to 45.18 percent of the population.

To expedite COVID-19 vaccinations in Papua, the Indonesian government and the PON committee have provided several vaccination booths in a number of PON venues.

The XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) 2021 will be held from October 2-15, 2021. At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia are expected to participate in the National Games that will feature 37 sports.

Source: Antara News