Access to Papua Is Still Closed

Access to Papua Is Still Closed

The Papua Provincial Government continues to close access to and exits for passenger traffic, both at the airport and at the port. The statement was to answer questions related to the policy of the Ministry of Transportation which gave permission for various modes of transportation to re-operate to carry several types of passengers.

"For the context of Papua, it is possible for humans not to be able to, if things go as they have been," said Deputy Governor of Papua Klemen Tinal, in Jayapura, Friday (05/08/2020).

Klemen considered that the policy was validly issued by the central government. However, the Papua Provincial Government considers that the policy cannot be implemented in Papua, because the initial finding of a positive case for the Corona Virus is an import case.

"Historically nothing suddenly (the corona case) emerged in Papua, from there it spread. So with history like this, we have not been able to temporarily. Flight of goods is not a problem because it carries the tools, materials needed. But for civil society who have no interest in Papua, for the time being we cannot allow it for the good of the community, "Klemen said.

The limited health facilities and medical personnel are the main reason the Papua Provincial Government is fast closing access in and out. With this closure, local governments in Papua can focus more on overcoming problems inside without any potential entry of Corona Virus from outside.

"So if more and more people come, our ability to overcome such things cannot be seen by looking at all the aspects that exist. So we have not allowed it for a while," Klemen said.

The closure of access in and out of Papua has been carried out since March 26, 2020 and has been extended three times with the last deadline until June 6, 2020. The number of positive cases of Corona Virus in Papua has reached 265 cases, with 186 patients being treated, 72 people have recovered, and 7 people died.