By: Alfred Jigibalom)*
President Jokowi has officially opened the XX National Sports Week (PON) on October 2, 2021. The implementation of the XX PON is also confirmed to implement strict Prokes to prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
The XX National Sports Week was supposed to be held at the end of 2020, but due to the pandemic, it was postponed to 2021. Unfortunately this year there was still a corona virus, but it was decided that the event would still be held, because if it was postponed again it would cost quite a bit of venue maintenance. tall. Of course with the condition that it must comply with strict prokes.
Strict procedures must be carried out so that no new corona clusters are formed, and they are very guarded, lest after the PON there is an increase in cases in Papua. So that all parties from the committee to contingents from other provinces are warned to always maintain the progress. The goal is to be safe and healthy without the threat of the Covid-19 virus.
The Health Protocol Sub-Unit prepares all efforts to prevent corona. To implement the process, synergies and cross-sectoral coordination are held. In a sense, collaboration and coordination continue to be carried out, so that the four XX PON venues run safely without the possibility of the formation of a new corona cluster.
Meanwhile, the Health Protocol Sub Unit for the Mimika region has prepared places for washing hands, spaced benches, and stands that are filled with a maximum of 25%. Initially, the XX PON will be held without spectators, because it refers to the Tokyo Olympics. However, it was finally revised due to the decrease in Covid cases, but there must be a limit on the audience to be 100% safe.
It is undeniable that the presence of spectators is necessary to enliven the competition. As supporters, they will support their favorite team, especially the hosts, aka contingents from Papua and West Papua, will be happy when there are spectators from local residents on Earth of Cendrawasih.
To prevent the new corona cluster, spectators who come cannot be careless, only invitees may enter the venue. The invitation is not only for officials in Papua and West Papua, but also for civilians. They must be vaccinated to be completely safe.
In addition to spectators, all committee members, athletes, officials and coaches must also be vaccinated. Vaccination is a requirement before they enter Papua, because if they have been injected, they will be more immune from corona. All these stringent processes are carried out for the sake of mutual health.
Vaccination is also carried out on residents in the area near the venue, so that group immunity is formed. Starting from students to adults, the vaccine is injected and they are willing to do it, because they want to be free from corona, as well as to make the XX PON event a success. Vaccination of civilians is also a form of the committee’s responsibility to keep them healthy and not infected with the Covid-19 virus after XX PON.
Other strict procedures were also carried out, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance. Masks must be worn by athletes for filtration, but are allowed to be removed while competing. The reason is because they are afraid that they will be short of breath when running or swimming using a mask. But after that of course must wear it again.
In addition, all parties must also maintain a distance. Athletes may not huddle or wander around, either before or after the match. They are only allowed to carry out mobility in the XX PON arena and Wisma Athletes. Spectators are also guarded so as not to trigger crowds, and are monitored through camera drones, which reach up to 3 KM.
The implementation of PON XX is carried out with strict prokes discipline because we are holding an event in the midst of a pandemic, so we must obey it. Rather than later forming a new corona cluster, it is better to anticipate it from the start.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Bali
