Indonesia eyes 10,000-strong event in test of life with the coronavirus (Covid-19)

In Papua province, where the sporting event is being held, just 11 per cent of people have gotten both Covid-19 vaccine shots. - Screengrab from PONXX2020PAPUA/INSTAGRAM via The Straits Times/ANN

JAKARTA, Oct 2 (Bloomberg): As many as 10,000 people attended the opening ceremony of Indonesia’s first major sports event since its worst Covid-19 outbreak -- a test of its strategy of living with the virus.

The national sporting week called PON started Saturday at the newly renovated stadium in the eastern city of Jayapura, with the number of spectators meeting the 25% maximum capacity set by the domestic affairs ministry.

Spectators have to be tested before entering the venue, wear masks and maintain social distancing, according to the ministry.