TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT MRT Jakarta, the operating company of the capital city's Mass Rapid Transit, monitored the density of passengers at four stations on the first day of public transport restrictions in wake of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Long queues of commuters could be seen on Monday at the Dukuh Atas BNI Station, reaching to the station entrance, particularly during peak hours.

PT MRT Jakarta Corporate Secretary Muhamad Kamaluddin said in a statement received on Monday that the MRT’s operational restrictions were implemented in accordance with the provincial government's policy to limit movement in urban areas.

"Therefore, we evaluated the queues of passengers entering four MRT stations this morning," Kamaluddin said in his short message.

The stations that were evaluated include the Lebak Bulus Station, Fatmawati Station, Cipete Raya Station, and Dukuh Atas BNI Station. Queues at nine other stations were reportedly normal.

Meanwhile, social distancing measures are being carried out inside stations and trains, Kamaluddin stated.

"We will review the results of this evaluation with the government in the near future," he said.

He explained that PT MRT Jakarta is implementing operational restrictions after an appeal from Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to the community to reduce activities outside the home, work remotely, and study and carry out religious practices at home.

MRT Jakarta, as per the Governor's directives, is only focusing on serving workers such as medical staff and other public service employees, who cannot work from home.

"Public transport services today were not intended for the mobility of normal workers, who have been advised to work from home," he said.

ANTARA