But the global spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (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, Alvina 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.

Alvina is not alone with her concerns. Many people in Jakarta wear masks when traveling by public transportation.

In response to concerns over COVID-19, special measures have also been taken by some public transportation operators.

PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI), the operator of the commuter line train, provides hand sanitizer inside a total of 88 commuter train cars on all lines in the Greater Jakarta area. The company also provides hand sanitizer at approximately 80 station ticket counters.

The train’s operator also regularly informs passengers about temporary health facilities provided at train stations and advises healthy habits of washing hands frequently, sneezing properly and wearing a mask when feeling unwell.

All trains are regularly cleaned with disinfectant as part of regular maintenance before and after operation, KCI vice president corporate communication Anne Purba said in a statement recently.

PT MRT Jakarta has also taken preventive action, such as thermal screening at every station entrance, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on its trains. The company also provides hand sanitizer at all 13 MRT stations.

Similar measurements have been taken by LRT Jakarta. The operator provides information to passengers on how to prevent the spread of the virus and cleans the trains with disinfectant every day.

City-owned bus operator PT Transjakarta provides hand sanitizer on 50 of its buses and at 80 bus stops, with more to come. The company cleans the buses, including the handgrips, each time before and after operation, spokesperson Nadia Diposanjoyo said.

State airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) I also enforces thermal scanning of arriving passengers, allowing those whose temperature is below 38 degrees Celsius to enter. Airlines for their part have vowed to maintain tight cleaning procedures by frequently disinfecting airports and luggage trolleys, AP I president director Faik Fahmi said on Friday.

Yet, some providers of public transportation services seem unprepared for such precautions.

At the busy Kampung Rambutan bus terminal in East Jakarta passengers, drivers or vendors all seemed to be carefree going about their business. No one was seen wearing a mask and no anxious stares thrown at those sneezing or coughing hard.

“Hand sanitizer and masks for the public will hopefully be provided soon,” said Orba Sianturi, the Kampung Rambutan bus terminal’s service and information operator.

Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, an epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, said the most important thing while commuting by public transportation was to avoid touching the face before washing one’s hands. He said hand sanitizer was not absolutely necessary for those washing their hands with soap frequently.

Tri also suggested wearing a mask or a handkerchief to cover the mouth and nose during the trip, since virus transmission inside public transportation was rampant and hard to control.

“[During the virus outbreak], it is recommendable for people to avoid crowded public transportation,” he told The Jakarta Post on Friday. (trn)

-- Riza Roidila Mufti contributed to this article.

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