On Monday, March 23, the City of Brampton was made aware that a Transit Operator from our Clark facility tested positive for COVID-19. This is Brampton Transit’s first confirmed case.
Our team has been in touch with this Operator who is self-isolating at home.
At this time, the City’s top priority is to provide support to the affected individual and their family, and continuing to help protect the safety and health of our employees and community.
As soon as the City was informed, staff immediately contacted Peel Public Health and have been in contact with them since. Public Health is reaching out directly out to employees who have been in close contact with this Operator. Contacted employees will receive advice from Public Health on next steps, including direction to self-isolate for 14 days from their exposure and monitor for symptoms. Peel Public Health indicates there is no additional risk to the riders on the Transit bus than there would be in the general community.
At this time, it has been identified that the operator worked the following routes on March 10, 11, 12, and 13:
• 11 Steeles
• 51 Hereford
• 53 Ray Lawson
• 57 Charolais
Peel Public Health and the City of Brampton are working together to fully understand detailed timing.
People on the buses in review on the above days who are feeling well, with no symptoms, should continue to go about their daily routines and not call Public Health. If you develop symptoms, please call Peel Public Health. If you require emergency medical assistance, please call 911.
The City assures the community that it will continue to do everything to help protect the safety of our employees, customers and communities.
An enhanced cleaning and disinfecting schedule remains in effect. It is Brampton Transit’s goal to disinfect all hard surfaces, operator compartments and seats every 48 hours. At this time, we’re disinfecting every 24 hours. Facilities and terminal lunchrooms, tables, counters and door handles are cleaned and disinfected twice a day.
To support social distancing for operators and passengers:
• Bus loads are limited to half seated capacity.
• Rear-door boarding and no fare payment are in effect. In addition, we’re placing a plastic chain-like barrier to provide space between operators and passengers, while allowing those with mobility devices to continue to load through the front doors.
• On busier routes, articulated buses are put in place to assist with passengers’ ability to maintain social distancing while on board.
• Seats are identified with yellow tape and passengers are asked to not sit in these seats.
The City continues to work closely with our partners at Peel Public Health. As their investigation is ongoing, new information will be provided as it becomes available.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Natalie Stogdill
Senior Advisor, Public Relations, City of Brampton
natalie.stogdill@brampton.ca | 905.874.3654
