Ojol drivers can now only deliver food or goods
Indonesia is stepping up measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. Under the new Health Ministerial Decree issued on Tuesday, 7th April, online ojek, or ojol, drivers in the capital can deliver food or goods, but are not allowed to carry passengers.
New decree by the Indonesia health ministry
Image credit: Health Ministerial Decree No. 9/2020
According to the decree, “Shipping services, including app-based two-wheeled transportation are restricted only for transporting goods and not passengers.”
Drivers are struggling to make ends meet
Image credit: Afif Kusuma
Since social distancing measures took place, ojol drivers have seen a significant drop in their income of up to 50 to 80 percent, as reported by Liputan6.com.
Before the coronavirus outbreak, passenger rides made up 60 to 70 percent of a driver’s income. The rest of their income typically comes from food deliveries (20 to 30 percent) and package deliveries (just 10 to 20 percent).
Image credit: Gojek
Igun Wicaksono, leader of an ojol drivers’ association called Garda, has suggested to the government to give drivers a direct cash payment of Rp. 100,000 (~USD6.20) per day until things go back to normal to help them cope with the loss in earnings.
Gojek and Grab, the two top ride-hailing companies in the country, take a 20 percent cut from fares. Igun thinks that it would be a big blow to drivers if the rate stays the same during this tough period.
“The maximum cut from the companies should be 10 percent or none at all if possible during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he proposed.
COVID-19 statistics as of Tuesday, 7th April
Image credit: COVID-19 Task Force
The government’s spokesperson for COVID-19 affairs, Achmad Yurianto, announced 247 new confirmed cases on Tuesday, bringing the tally to 2,738 nationwide. The death toll is now 221 after 12 more people died of the virus.
Jakarta remains the hotbed of the coronavirus in Indonesia, with 1,369 cases or half of the country’s total. Visit the official Indonesian COVID-19 website for the latest updates on COVID-19.
In the meantime, do support your local ojol drivers by ordering a delivery meal or es kopi from them. Every order helps keep their livelihoods going, plus you can stay safe and enjoy your meal from home.
Also check out:
- Wearing masks on public transport is now compulsory in Jakarta
- 11 things to do during self-quarantine
- Indonesian TikTokers attempting to make Dalgona coffee
Cover image adapted from Afif Kusuma
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