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The XX Papua PON Health Protocols Task Force distributes free masks to the public as a COVID-19 prevention measure in Papua, October 13, 2021. (ANTARA/HO-BNPB/rst) - 

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) handed out more than two million masks before the 20th National Games (PON) in Papua end on October 15, with the objective of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

"According to the directive of the BNPB head, we will strengthen health protocols until PON ends," Head of the Health Protocol Task Force of Papua PON, Prasinta Dewi, noted in a written statement received here, Thursday.

Dewi, concurrently BNPB's Deputy for Prevention, remarked that two days before the Papua PON comes to a close, the agency, through the Health Care Task Force, had distributed over two million masks to strengthen the implementation of health protocols during the event.

From September 26 to October 3, a total of 2,043,289 masks were distributed by healthcare volunteers in the four clusters holding the event. This is in accordance with the target plan of the 20th PON Health Care Task Force that will distribute two million masks during the multi-sports event.

Some 558,000 masks were distributed in Jayapura City, 533,000 masks in Jayapura District, 507,289 masks in Merauke District, and 445,000 masks in Mimika District. All the masks were distributed to athletes, officials, and public.

The BNPB distributed three types of masks: cloth masks with the BNPB logo, cloth masks with the XX Papua PON logo, and KF94 medical masks.

According to Dewi, the Health Protocols Task Force will continue to operate mask outlets and mask cars at PON venues until October 15 despite having exceeded the mask distribution target.

The masks were not only distributed at the match venues but also in almost all sectors and levels of Papuan society, Dewi noted//ANT