Metrolinx says it is continuing to monitor the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, and is taking active steps to make sure vehicles are clean for customers.
All vehicles are thoroughly cleaned at the end of each day. Metrolinx is also testing a long-acting disinfectant/anti-microbial agent. The initial results are encouraging and Metrolinx has begun to incorporate its use into standard operating/cleaning procedures, according to Matt Llewellyn, Metrolinx senior advisor, Media Relations and Issues.
Additionally at stations and offices, hand sanitizers have been distributed, he said.
Last month, a woman travelled from Pearson Airport to Richmond Hill in the upper deck of a GO bus. She was found to be infected with Covid-19.
Although public health officials continue to say the risk is low, even for those who boarded the route 40 bus at the airport on Feb 26 at 3:55 pm to Richmond Hill Centre, Metrolinx took immediate action, said Llewellyn.
GO bus driver receiving support
Out of an abundance of caution, the bus in question was taken out of service and thoroughly cleaned and Metrolinx is providing the driver with the full support, he said.
Immediately upon being contacted by York Region Public Health, Metrolinx also began communicating through social media and to the news media to get the word out to customers who were on board the affected bus, Llewellyn said while pointing out that as per the advice of Public Health Ontario, anyone who is concerned should reach out to their doctor or local public health unit for assessment and guidance.
The senior advisor said more than six weeks ago, during the very infancy of the global Covid-19 outbreak, Metrolinx proactively initiated a specialized team to plan, prepare and respond to this rapidly evolving situation.
Metrolinx has learned a lot about managing a pandemic-type crisis since SARS and H1N1 – two past global viruses – and how important it is to communicate to staff and customers early, openly and frequently, said Llewellyn.
Metrolinx is also continually reviewing current protocols and systems to ensure they address the changing situation. This past weekend those protocols changed again, he added.
[Above image caption: Wearing protective clothing due to the use of cleaning agents in a confined space, a crew member wipes down the inside of a GO bus in this March 2, 2020 image. (Keith Sheardown photo)]
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