Jakarta – Commuter train passengers in Greater Jakarta must wear long sleeve shirts or jackets, according to a new regulation issued by railway operator Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI).

The dress code was aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus among passengers, although there is no scientific evidence suggesting that wearing long sleeve clothes will do any help.

KCI spokeswoman Anne Purba said passengers who don't follow the new regulation will be denied entry to the station.

"We have been introducing this new regulation during this whole week. We implement the transportation minister circular that obliges passengers to wear long sleeve clothes to prevent transmission of Covid-19," Anne told Kompas TV.

The new regulation, which will come into force on Monday, also restricts passengers according to their age. It says that children under five years must not aboard the train. Passengers above 60 years of age are allowed to travel on commuter train at between 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. or just four hours a day.

Talking and answering calls on cellphone are prohibited, so are eating and drinking in the carriage.

Passengers must wear masks all the time inside the station and in the train and they are encouraged to put on face shields for more protection from the virus.

"Wearing of face shields is not a must but we encourage passengers to do so because it can add protection from Covid-19," the spokeswoman said.

Physical distancing is imposed by leaving an empty seat between passengers inside the carriage and putting a line at a certain distance on the waiting area in the station.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/commuter-train-passengers-required-to-wear-long-sleeve-clothes