Anies Baswedan Admits High Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in KRL

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta provincial administration revealed the city’s concern over the spread of the COVID-19 in commuter lines or KRL. As displayed in a photo circulated today, March 11, Governor Anies Baswedan who was standing on a podium seemed to speak of the risk of the new coronavirus at mass transportation.

This was assumed since the photo showed writings: “in general, the average travel time of COVID-19 patients to public transport is under 55 minutes,” and “the highest risk of the virus contamination is in the KRL line 2 of Bogor-Depok-Jakarta Kota.” While the KRL line 4 of Cikarang-Bekasi-East Jakarta was relatively safe from the virus thus far.

The governor confirmed the photo, adding that it was the internal data of the city administration to mitigate the potential risk of the coronavirus infection.

“We gather all staffers, either regional apparatus organizations (OPD) or regional-owned firms chiefs, to inform them about the potential risk [of the virus infection], so they can take actions of mitigation,” said Anies at the City Hall on Wednesday, March 11.

He explained that the data was obtained from the number of people who were being observed and isolated over the virus. He added that mitigation efforts were not only taken by the transportation sector but others as well.

Anies Baswedan asserted the data did not mean that there was a case of COVID-19 infection at KRL. “But this is about potential risks [of the virus contamination], including in mass transports, and other aspects too,” he said.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ