Jakarta – State-owned commuter line operator PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) is offering hand sanitizer and disposable face masks to passengers at its 80 stations amid concerns over the possibility of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Jakarta, following the country's first two confirmed cases.
The company's spokesperson, Anne Purba, said the hand sanitizers and face masks would be available for passengers starting Tuesday.
"PT KCI will distribute hand sanitizers to 80 commuter line stations. Face masks will also be available at health posts in each station," Anne said in a statement on Tuesday.
She also suggested that passengers bring their own face masks and hand sanitizers to avoid long lines at the stations.
"Face masks will be prioritized for sick and elder passengers. Officials at the health posts can also provide first aid for sick passengers and refer them to the nearest hospital if necessary," Anne went on to say.
The company asserted that all commuter trains were cleaned regularly using disinfectant.
The Greater Jakarta commuter train line is deemed the backbone of railway transportation in the capital city and its surrounding areas, as the company recorded in November last year that it had served up to 1 million passengers every day.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo announced on Monday Indonesia's first two confirmed cases of COVID-19. Case 1 is a 31-year-old woman who had been in contact with a Japanese citizen, who tested positive in Malaysia on Feb. 27 after visiting Indonesia in early February. Case 2 is the woman's 64-year-old mother. (nal)