Jakarta. The Jakarta Police confirmed on Monday that online ojek, or motorcycle taxi, is now allowed back on the streets to transport passengers – they were only allowed to deliver food or goods during the past two months – as the capital city entered the first phase of a transition period to relax its large-scale social restriction or PSBB. 

The once familiar sight of Jakarta commuters riding pillion on scooter taxis will soon return with some changes, including a hard plastic screen between the driver and the passenger installed in compliance with the new normal health protocol. 

"Online motorcycle taxis may resume operation at 100 percent capacity starting today but they must follow [the Covid-19] health protocol. Drivers should carry hand sanitizers at all times and passengers should bring their own helmet," Jakarta Police spokesman Chief Comr. Yusri Yunus said.

Yusri said the police are following the Jakarta provincial government's guidelines on resuming public transportation during the first phase of the transition period. 

Ride-hailing services Grab and Gojek have prepared new guidelines to improve hygiene and protect customers from the risk of Covid-19 transmission. 

Gojek now requires their driver-partners to always wear a face mask and gloves and carry hand sanitizers. Passengers are advised to bring their own helmet and also wear a mask.

Gojek has added a new health info feature on their app's GoRide and GoCar services that allows users to see the driver's body temperature and check if the vehicle has been disinfected or not. 

Grab has made several improvements on its GrabProtect feature to ensure its GrabBike scooters are always kept safe and clean for both customers and drivers.  

Grab has also installed a hard plastic separator between the driver and the passenger on the GrabBike scooter taxis to minimize contact between them.