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COVID-19 GUIDANCE Public transportation providers

Jimmy.Deras
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The following guidance goes into effect on November 9, 2020.Agencies or individuals providing public transportation, including rideshares and taxis, should follow thisguidance to protect themselves, passengers, and employees from COVID-19.Transit agencies may consider modifications to service, prioritizing routes that serve medicalfacilities, employment center, food, and lifeline services.In emergencies, transportation providers may prioritize the immediate safety, transportation, andsheltering needs of riders and staff when in conflict with these guidelines.Physical distancing and ventilationLimit vehicle capacity to 50% of posted seated capacity. Operators and passengers should ensure 6feet of physical distance between non-household groups to the greatest extent possible. These limitsmay be temporarily exceeded in instances where a person with a disability needs an accommodation,where a transit vehicle is required for an emergency situation, or to prevent a risk to life or safety.To create distance between passengers, consider:Blocking off seats or portions of vehicles to allow at least one seat or row between individualsfrom different households; orSkipping stops when vehicles are at capacity.To create distance between passengers and drivers, consider:Blocking off the first one or two seats immediately behind or beside the driver’s seat;Having passengers board through rear doors, if available;If riders must enter through a front door, having the driver stand outside during boarding; orFor taxis and rideshares, having passengers use only the back seat.When possible, open windows -- one on each side of the vehicle -- to maximize ventilation.Post signs reminding passengers that physical distancing requirements apply to public transport.Post signs informing customers that they can opt in to Exposure Notifications so they may be alertedmore quickly in the event they are exposed to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.Sick or exposed employeesTransportation providers who are sick should stay home and notify their supervisor, if applicable.Those who have COVID-19 symptoms should follow the directions for isolation and seek medicalattention if needed.Employees who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 shouldstay home, self-quarantine, and monitor themselves for symptoms. Employees who think or know they have been exposed should get tested as soon as possible if they develop symptoms. Employeeswho don’t have symptoms should wait 7 days from when they think they were exposed to get tested.Employers should consider screening employees, including taking their temperatures, when theyreport to work. Ask them if they have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with anyoneexhibiting these symptoms. If they answer “yes” to any of the screening questions, send them homeand advise them to follow the directions for quarantine (if potentially exposed) or isolation (if sick orpositive). Be sure to maintain employee confidentiality at all times.Example employee health screening form.Employees who are sick or symptomatic may be eligible to return to work when:*At least 24 hours have passed since fever has resolved without fever-reducing medications,At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, andCOVID-19 symptoms have improved.*This information is general guidance and may differ based on each individual’s situation.For employees and driversRequire all employees and drivers to wear masks.Ensure employees maintain physical distance by staying at least 6 feet away from other employeesand passengers.Educate employees on how to protect themselves at work and at home and on who is at higher risk ofsevere illness from COVID-19.Post signs reminding employees to avoid touching their eyes, noses, and mouths and to practiceproper sneezing and cough etiquette. [English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali].Have ample supplies of hand sanitizer for your employees and passengers.Enable drivers and employees to avoid handling money, if possible.Consider wearing disposable gloves if you must collect money from passengers. Use one pairof gloves per customer and throw them away after each use.Prioritize providing appropriate gloves, masks, face shields, and other personal protective equipmentto employees to the extent possible.Consider maintaining a record of riders in case there is a COVID-19 exposure and other passengersneed to be notified.For passengersRequire all riders over age 10 to wear a mask at all times.Strongly encourage riders age 2-10 to wear a mask at all times.Advise the public that they should avoid public transit if they are sick, positive for COVID-19, or ifthey think or know they have been exposed to COVID-19.Adhere to physical distancing guidelines regarding spacing between passengers.Follow guidance from operators. They are critical workers who should be regarded with utmostconcern for their health and safety during this challenging time.

Cleaning and disinfection

The most common way COVID-19 spreads is through respiratory droplets during close contact with someonewho already is infected. It also may be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has thevirus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or possibly your eyes. Frequently cleaning and disinfectingsurfaces is a best practice for preventing COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.Cleaning means removing germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, butby removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Cleaning is typicallyperformed using soap, detergents, cleansers, and water.Disinfecting means using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. By killing germs on a surface aftercleaning, disinfecting can further lower the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting is typicallyperformed using approved commercial or household disinfecting solutions.To clean and disinfect public transportation vehicles:Refer to CDPHE’s Environmental Cleaning Guidance for COVID-19.Wear chemical (for example, nitrile) gloves when cleaning and disinfecting.Clean and disinfect vehicles and equipment surfaces before operation and at the end of shift, ormore frequently if passengers appear to be sick.Use an approved disinfectant after cleaning.Clean and disinfect all commonly touched surfaces used to access and control the vehicle, including:Door handles and grab bars;Interior door handles and surrounding surfaces;Steering wheel, center console, and radio microphone;Fare boxes;Instrument panels, gear shifts, and control knobs and devices;Keys, keybobs, and fuel cards;Seat belts and buckles; andAll other devices used during your shift.Wash hands with soap and warm water after cleaning for a minimum of 20 seconds.