With the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) protocol set to be lifted in early June, the operator of MRT Jakarta, PT Moda Raya Terpadu (PT MRT), is currently developing new regulations to be implemented during the next phase of life with COVID-19 in Indonesia, dubbed the “new normal” by the government.
PT MRT’s spokesman Muhammad Kamaluddin said all passengers are required to undergo a body temperature check before entering the stations and are expected to wear face masks at all times, though the latter rule has been in place since early April. Passengers with body temperatures above 37.5 degree celsius are not allowed to enter MRT stations.
During the so-called new normal period, an MRT train will be limited to 68 passengers in order to allow the necessary physical distance between people. MRT is currently limiting each train to 60 passengers during PSBB.
Kamaluddin said that his team will increase the operational schedule during the rush hour when the new normal stage commences. However, the operator has yet to determine the time span of the rush hour, with Kamaluddin expecting that the rush hour will fall between 5am and 4pm.
“Our frequency is currently every 30 minutes, so maybe the operational pattern during the rush hour will be every five minutes,” Kamaluddin said today.
President Joko Widodo has urged the public to prepare for the “new normal” phase, referring to a return to normal life while implementing health protocols in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. The policy has been widely criticized by experts and politicians alike, as there are different measures taken by each regional government across the country and that the number of cases has not shown any signs of declining anytime soon.
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