TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

COVID-19: Jayawijaya cancels Baliem Valley Cultural Festival as health precaution

The cultural festival cancellation was made following the government's recent announcement of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country.

Benny Mawel (The Jakarta Post)
Jayapura
Fri, March 13, 2020

Share This Article

Change Size

COVID-19: Jayawijaya cancels Baliem Valley Cultural Festival as health precaution Dani tribe people of Ugem Village, Baliem Valley, West Papua. (Shutterstock.com/Katiekk )

T

he Jayawijaya regency administration in Papua has cancelled the 31st Baliem Valley Cultural Festival as a precautionary measure to prevent COVID-19 from spreading in the area.

The annual cultural festival is scheduled to be held on Aug. 5 to 9 at Walesi district in the regency.

Jayawijaya Regent Jhon Richard Banua said the decision was made following the central government’s announcement of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country.

As of Thursday, health authorities had announced 34 confirmed cases on COVID-19. Three of the cases have since recovered, while a British woman, identified as Case 25, died in Bali.

The regent said the festival would attract many foreign tourists, making the area vulnerable to  a virus outbreak. The cold weather of Jayawijaya and nearby regencies – Lanny Jaya, Tolikara, Central Memberamo, Puncak, Puncak Jaya and Nduga – are deemed suitable for the virus to survive.

Read also: Indonesian official barred from entering PNG by coronavirus measures

If the outbreak occurs in Papua, the eight regencies would not be ready to provide treatment, he said, as healthcare facilities were very limited in the area following a racial conflict in September last year.

Jhon went on to say that local administrations had attempted to put on a ban on foreign tourists from entering the regency.

“We are monitoring the development of the coronavirus. A letter on the ban has been prepared,” the regent told journalists in Wamena on Wednesday.

The regency’s culture and tourism agency has dispatched a health team to monitor the location and health condition of foreign tourists in Jayawijaya, the regent added.

Jayawijaya Culture and Tourism Agency head Alpius Wetipo said the regent’s circular on the ban would be distributed to the public, relevant agencies and ministries in Jakarta.

“This virus spreads very fast. Authorities have to move fast,” Alipus said. (gis)

 

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.