Papua closes airports and ports, passengers are prohibited from entering, only goods may enter

Papua closes airports and ports, passengers are prohibited from entering, only goods may enter

Starting Thursday (3/26/2020) access in and out of people through airports and seaports in all regencies / cities in Papua is temporarily closed. Closure in order to prevent the spread of the corona virus spread is valid for the next 14 days.

The temporary closure is in accordance with the agreement between the Papua Province Forkopimda and the regents / mayors of the Province of Papua in a meeting held at the State Building, Jayapura, last Tuesday (24/3).

"After 14 days, we will see developments. There is already something positive in Papua so that if the number increases, we will extend it again (closing), "said Papua Governor Lukas Enembe.

However, continued Luke, only access of people or passengers was closed. Transport of goods may still enter. Lukas dismissed the notion that the province he led implemented lockdown or quarantine of territory as applied in many countries.

Instead, said Luke, the decision was part of social restrictions. The goal is to prevent the spread of the SARS CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 disease in Papua.

Even if there is a passenger ship entering Papua, said Lukas, the ship must turn around and not be able to unload passengers at any port in Papua.

"So, we consider it necessary to block. Our status is still on emergency alert, "he added.

Papua Province Regional Secretary Hery Dosinaen also stressed that the status of the Papua Province in relation to Covid-19 is still on emergency alert. According to him, the temporary closure of airport and port access was carried out to break the distribution chain which was feared to be even wider.

"Social restrictions also cover the temporary closure of places of entertainment, places of worship in churches, mosques, temples, and temples. All were asked to worship at home for a while, "he said.

Other places that have the potential to gather large numbers of people are also temporarily closed or there are operational time restrictions. Such as markets, supermarkets, and shops. Operational hours start at 6.00 WIT until 14.00 WIT.