Prevent COVID-19, Ojol Recommended Use Passenger Block

Illustration (Angga Nugraha / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has suggested that online motorcycle taxi drivers add to the divider placed between the driver and the passenger. This is done to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

Director of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation, Budi Setiyadi, said this suggestion has been conveyed to applicators or online transportation service providers. However, this proposed insulation is not an obligation.

"Applicators, both Gojek and Grab, are willing to gradually prepare the insulation. The applicators are aware of the need for insulation, so that people believe that ojol vehicles are safe from COVID-19," Budi said in a teleconference with journalists, Tuesday, June 9.

Online motorcycle taxis have been allowed to carry more passengers since June 8, after previously being banned due to the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) period.

To minimize transmission of the corona virus, ojol drivers must also adhere to prescribed health protocols. Vehicles must also be regularly sprayed with disinfectants. Applicators must also prepare a hairnet so that the helmet is safe to use.

"I have communicated with Gojek and Grab, they will prepare a health post in each city whose function is to provide services to drivers related to disinfectants, hand sanitizers, check body temperature, wear a jacket, wear a mask, and gloves," said Budi.

Readiness from the applicator side

Amid the increasing number of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, the government is getting ready to implement a new normal order. No doubt, Gojek and Grab ride-hailing services also adapt to prepare various health protocols to protect drivers and customers.

Gojek itself has improved health protocols and hygiene standards by providing protective bulkhead facilities that limit drivers and passengers on GoCar services. As part of the new health protocol, Gojek will not charge additional fees for the facility.

The use of protective bulkheads in GoCar services will be implemented in stages in all major operational cities in Indonesia.

"In order to improve the safety and health aspects of our service users and partners, Gojek has strengthened operational standards in all services. Especially for GoCar services, based on Gojek's internal data, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, GoCar services are still needed by users," said Senior Vice. President of Gojek's Transport Marketing, Monita Moerdani, in her official statement.

Furthermore, the Grab ride-hailing service, the company also implements a number of health protocols such as launching GrabProtect in six Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 between passengers and driver partners.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness of safety and hygiene in various industries. Together with our driver partners, we will encourage better clean behavior before trips begin," said Grab Regional Head of Operations Russell Cohen.

GrabProtect will later become a safety and cleanliness program to provide cleanliness standards in the ride-hailing industry through a series of new features, upgrading of the GrabCar Protect and GrabBike Protect fleets, and updating regulations on safety.

The new feature also includes online health and hygiene declarations. Passengers and drivers can cancel travel orders if the mask requirements are not met by the driver partner.

"Grab will also give them (passengers) the opportunity to cancel and respond to Grab if the driver-partners do not use masks, as well as improve safety and hygiene practices such as cleaning their hands regularly and using cashless payment methods," he added. Russell.