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Passengers, operators step up COVID-19 prevention in public transportation
Since the government confirmed four cases of COVID-19 infection in the country, there has been growing awareness of a healthy lifestyle and basic protection to curb the spread of the respiratory disease.
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Many passengers wear masks as they wait for the train at the Depok Lama Station in Depok, West Java, on Tuesday. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)
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requent users of public transportation in the capital know their commute inevitably involves squeezing into packed trains, holding onto the hanging straps of buses or standing too close for comfort to other passengers. It has always been just something one just has to put up with to go about one’s day.
But the global spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has prompted both passengers and operators of public transportation to seek ways to prevent transmission of the lethal virus.
Since the government confirmed four cases of infection in the country, there has been growing awareness of a healthy lifestyle and basic protection to curb the spread of the respiratory disease.
University student Alvina Damayanti, 22, chose to put aside her anxiety of the virus and equip herself with a small bottle of hand sanitizer in her bag and cover her mouth, as her main mobility option was public transportation. Since masks have been off the shelves in many stores or are sold at exorbitant prices, she pins her hijab to cover her mouth and nose as an alternative to wearing a mask.
“I am scared of the virus spread, but I have no choice but to take public transportation for my daily activities,” the commuter train user said on Friday.
On the train, she said, she would look for a seat or some space in the corner so that she would not need to hold onto any holding bars or straps.
She is not alone with her concerns. Many people in Jakarta wear masks when traveling by public transportation.
