As Jakartans gear up for the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) protocol, which will be enforced for at least 14 days starting Friday, our beloved app-based motorcycle taxis (known locally as ojol) are also preparing for how the new regulations will impact them.
During PSBB, ojol will be prohibited from transporting passengers in Jakarta, though they will still be permitted to deliver goods and food.
Super apps Gojek and Grab said they will obey the regulations as preventative measures against COVID-19, adding that they are still looking more into the matter and discussing it further with the Indonesian government.
Gojek’s spokesperson Nila Marita claimed that the company has advised drivers to stay at home as well as equipping them with supplies needed to suppress the spread of COVID-19.
“Gojek has imported five million masks and provided hand sanitizers, vitamins, and spraying the vehicles with disinfectants in various major cities in Indonesia,” Nila told Kompas yesterday.
Separately, Grab Indonesia’s spokesperson Tri Sukma Anreianno said that his company has also urged drivers to put their health first and do preventative measures daily, including raising awareness to wash their hands frequently.
“The preventative [measures] including the usage of masks at all times and disinfecting the vehicles operated by Grab drivers as well as their delivery bags regularly,” Tri said.
In mid-March, both Gojek and Grab’s food delivery arms — Gofood and Grabfood, respectively — implemented a temporary non-contact delivery system and encouraging cashless payment as part of an effort to contain further spread of COVID-19.
Jakarta’s Governor Anies Baswedan said that the PSBB policy will limit most social interactions in Jakarta, which would involve the restriction of religious, business, and academic activities as well as reducing public transport operations while enforcing physical distancing measures.
While that sounds like the Jakarta of the past month, Anies said the administration is going to step up enforcement of the protocol with the help of police and the military, who will be conducting regular patrols.
Anies added that authorities will “act sternly” against PSBB violators, though it’s not clear yet at this point what sanctions, if any, they would face.
The PSBB protocol will be effective from April 10-24, though it may be extended if the government deems that there is still a substantial spread of the coronavirus in the capital.
As of this afternoon, 1,552 people have been confirmed to have COVID-19 in Jakarta, 144 of whom have died while 75 have recovered. Nationwide, Indonesia has confirmed 2,956 COVID-19 cases, with 222 recoveries and 240 deaths.
Read Also — Governor Anies Baswedan explains what’s allowed and what’s not during PSBB in Jakarta
