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All KRL Commuterline passengers must wear long sleeves starting next week in what seems to be a dubious measure in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
According to reports, the rule will come into effect in the upcoming work week as part of COVID-19 precautionary measures outlined in a regulation by the Transportation Ministry, which was issued in June.
“We have raised awareness about the rule all this week. Hopefully, next week everyone will have the discipline [to wear long sleeves],” KRL Commuterline operator PT KCI spokeswoman Anne Purba said yesterday.
Passengers not wearing long sleeves will be turned away from KRL Commuterline stations. Whether one wears a coat, a jacket, or a shirt does not matter, as long as their arms are covered entirely.
The Transportation Ministry’s regulation did not give an explanation as to how long sleeve clothing can prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
However, some health experts say long sleeves can prevent skin-to-skin contact, especially in crowded spaces, and therefore can minimize the potential for coronavirus transmission. Conversely, some experts say there is no scientific evidence suggesting that long sleeves are effective in this regard, and that limiting the number of passengers on trains is a more logical measure.
At any rate, other health precautions still apply on the KRL Commuterline, such as mandatory face masks, hand washing, and the prohibition of talking on board the train. Though physical distancing is mandatory at stations and on the train, there have been numerous reports of high volumes of passengers in recent weeks that have made such measures difficult to observe.
