Oct 30, 2020
CLEVELAND, OH -- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has been notified that one staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last several days.
The employee is a mechanic from the Hayden District who first reported symptoms on October 24. The employee's last day of work was October 23.
Following our standard protocol, work areas, equipment and other areas of potential exposure were cleaned and disinfected. Additionally, other staff members who had been in contact with the employee were notified.
To date, 43 RTA employees have tested positive for COVID-19, and 37 have fully recovered and have returned to work.
Keeping customers and employees safe during COVID-19
RTA remains committed to providing essential public transportation service as safely as possible. As a result, we have implemented a number of measures including:
- Conducting rigorous daily cleaning and applying a CDC-approved sanitizing disinfectant that kills the coronavirus to all touchable surfaces inside all vehicles as well as inside all RTA facilities, including rail stations, bus districts, bus shelters and transit centers.
- Using ultraviolet disinfecting technology, the Moonbeam 3, to clean high traffic areas, K-9 vehicles and rooms with highly sensitive electronic equipment. The Moonbeam3 is also used in response to an incident that requires a bus or train to be removed from service and disinfected immediately.
- Installing plastic barriers to surround bus operators, positioned between customers and operators at the farebox.
- Requiring all employees to wear face coverings while on board or on company property.
For the health and safety of all, we are providing audio and written reminders on board, asking riders to observe the following:
- Pay fare using the mobile ticketing app for contactless payment.
- Stand behind the yellow line and behind the plastic barrier at the farebox.
- Limit conversation and interaction with the bus operator.
- Exit at the rear of the bus.
- Wear a mask or other facial covering while riding.
- Maintain physical distancing as much as possible while onboard or waiting at the bus stop or station.
- Observe CDC safety guidelines including regularly washing hands, using hand sanitizer, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
RTA continues to operate under guidance from local, state and federal public health departments including the City of Cleveland, the State of Ohio and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure the health and safety of our riders and employees.
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Media Contact:
Linda Krecic
216-390-9605 (cell)