Sorry, I'm just seeing this comment.
Yes. Biometric is important.
IRCC would delay any response positive or negative till biometric is done. I experienced it in my first application in July 21, 2020. I couldn't do biometric because of closure of VACs due to COVID. When I finally did d biometric on August 24, 2020, I discovered my eligibility was completed July 28, 2020 and I did not meet up. This was updated on October 3 after I got refusal.
My background check that had been on since July was completed August 28, 2020. My upfront medical done August 22, 2020 was updated to passed by September 3, 2020. My refusal came October 3.
Soto answer your question, the man who got PPR had done biometrics