Modes of Transportation in Papua In General Still Closed

Modes of Transportation in Papua In General Still Closed

The Papua government still closes airport and port access for passengers, although the Minister of Transportation has given permission to open modes of transportation in general.

The closure of airports and ports is still being extended, along with the status of the COVID-19 preventive emergency response in Papua until 4 June,

The Deputy Governor of Papua, Klemen Tinal, said that the transmission rate of the COVID-19 corona in Papua is still high and it is not possible to open access to human crossings from outside Papua, through the flight path or sea port.

"As representatives of the government in the regions, we translate government policies in accordance with the facts in each region," he explained, Saturday (9/5).

At present, opening flights and ports is only allowed for the delivery of goods and services, as well as other emergency flights, such as evacuation of the sick and other needs.

"In general, the history of the distribution of corona in Papua comes from outside. So, it is not that corona suddenly exists in Papua. Corona in Papua actually comes from people who travel from outside Papua," he said.

The Papua Provincial Government believes that if flights and ports are opened for now, this will have an impact on increasing the number of corona and making the Papuan medical team and the COVID-19 Task Force overwhelmed in suppressing the number of corona spreads.

"Plus health facilities and medical personnel in Papua are limited, so human crossings through airports and ports are still closed for now," he explained.