Metro has released a statement notifying riders that an operator tested positive for COVID-19. This appears to be the fifth Metro employee to contract the virus recently.
The employee is currently quarantining at home and Metro has done contract tracing and notified other employees who may have come in contact with the individual.
They also want the public to be aware that the operator was on Rt. 24 Anderson -Uptown on June 23-24 between 8:43 a.m.-3:44 p.m.
"If members of the public have concerns that they may have come into contact with the affected operator, we advise them to closely monitor their health and follow all CDC guidelines, including contacting a medical professional should they develop symptoms," says Metro.
Today, Tuesday, June 30, Metro was notified that an operator has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual is...
Posted by Cincinnati Metro on Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Another employee who tested positive for the virus was on routes for Mt. Healthy and the Riverfront Parking Shuttle June 17-19; another who tested positive was on routes for Winton Tri-County and the Riverfront Parking Shuttle June 17; and two other employees — an operator and maintenance employee — tested positive and had contact with the public June 9 and June 11.
Metro is continuing these COVID safety protocols and following CDC and WHO guidance:
- Rigorous daily cleaning of all buses
- Applying a chlorinated, sanitizing disinfectant that kills the coronavirus to all buses and surfaces inside buses and facilities, including poles, stanchions and seats and facilities, including Government Square
- Using an electrostatic sprayer which promotes surface adhesion of the disinfectant
- They have also installed Plexiglas barriers on all buses as an added layer of protection between customers and operators at the farebox
Metro is also asking all riders to do the following:
- Pay fare using Transit App with EZFare for contactless payment
- Wear a mask, scarf or other facial covering if possible while riding
- Stand behind the Plexiglass barrier at the farebox
- Spread out as much as possible onboard
- Observe CDC safety guidelines including using hand sanitizer, washing hands regularly, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue
Read more about their COVID-19 safety practices here.
And, it's nice to remember that Metro is a tax-funded public service to get Cincinnatians where they're going. Following COVID safety protocols protects you and Metro operators.
The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority's Metro bus routes will resumed their usual schedules on June 28. Most Metro buses were running on a reduced, Saturday schedule as of March 29 due to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's stay at home order.