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Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Doni Monardo, at Graha BNPB, Jakarta, Monday (March 23, 2020). (ANTARA)

During the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), the regulations issued by the Ministry of Health, and not other ministries, will apply, said the chairman of the COVID-19 task force on Monday.

"Minister of Transportation ad interim Luhut Binsar Panjaitan has reported that, basically, the Minister of Transportation's regulation is effective until the social assistance program is implemented. So, after the social assistance program runs, the Transportation Minister’s regulation will be adjusted," said Monardo, chairman of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19, at Graha BNPB, Jakarta.

“So, we are still referring to the Health Minister's regulation regarding physical distancing, where maintaining distance is a priority, despite the regulation issued by the Ministry of Transportation prescribing health protocols, such as spraying of disinfectants and use of protective equipment," the head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said.

The two rules were issued to support the PSBB, but caused problems for motorcycle taxis. Under the Regulation of the Minister of Health (PMK) No. 9 of 2020 concerning PSBB, two-wheeled vehicles can only be used to transport goods.

This is stated in appendix PMK No. 9 of 2020, dated April 3, 2020: "Freight forwarding services, including application-based two-wheeled transportation facilities with restrictions only for transporting goods and not for passengers".

Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation's Regulation No. PM 18 of 2020 concerning Transportation Control in the Context of Preventing the Spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019, signed by the Minister of Transportation ad interim, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, and dated April 9, 2020, states that two-wheeled vehicles can carry passengers under certain conditions.

Article 11, letter d, of the regulation, states: "In certain cases, for the purpose of serving the interests of the community and for personal interests, motorbikes can transport passengers on the condition that they must meet health protocols, that is, (for) other activities that are permitted during large-scale social restrictions (PSBB).”

In addition, it prescribes disinfecting vehicles and equipment before and after use, wearing masks and gloves, and refraining from driving vehicles if sick.

“As per a number of ministerial reports, around 1.65 million of our citizens have been laid off. The distribution of social assistance through the 'social safety net' program will begin immediately so that affected communities, especially in Greater Jakarta, can immediately get support, especially basic food assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs," Monardo said. (ANTARA)