COVID-19 FAQs for Transit Providers
FAQs Last Updated: May 20, 2020 3:30 PM
Has the state of Oregon or the Federal Transit Administration issued any guidance for operating transit service during the COVID-19 pandemic?
On March 23, Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20-12, directing everyone in Oregon to stay at home to the maximum extent possible. During this time, public transportation has continued to operate as it is a vital link, and sometimes the only means, for Oregonians to access employment, healthcare and other important services including access to groceries and pharmacies.
Effective May 15, 2020, the Governor issued statewide guidelines for Oregon transit agencies. These guidelines incorporate measures recommended by the Federal Transit Administration, Centers for Disease Control, and Oregon Health Authority, and are intended to protect agency staff, passengers, and communities.
ODOT will continue to coordinate with local, state and federal officials to provide guidance to public transportation agencies and passengers and assist transit agencies with implementation of recommended precautions.
What are the guidelines for transit agencies operating during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Per the OHA guidelines effective May 15, 2020, transit agencies are required to:
- Maintain at least three (3) feet of physical distance between passengers.
- Maintain at least six (6) feet of physical distance between the driver and passengers (except during boarding and in assisting those with mobility devices); reinforce this requirement by cordoning off seats as appropriate.
- Use physical partitions or visual cues (e.g., floor decals, colored tape, or signs) to discourage passengers from standing and sitting within three (3) feet of other passengers, and within six (6) feet of drivers, and other transit employees on the bus/train.
- Determine and post maximum occupancy for each bus.
- For rail systems, post maximum occupancy for each train car using clear, prominently placed signs. Make verbal announcements about maximum occupancy before and after each stop.
- Post clear signs, in more than one language, (available at healthoregon.org/coronavirus) at transit stops/centers listing COVID-19 symptoms, asking riders with symptoms to stay home, and who to contact if they need assistance. If someone with symptoms must travel, please use alternate transit, if available.
- Review and implement Mask and Face Covering Guidance for Business, Transit and the Public.
- Provide transit employees access to soap, clean running water, and drying materials, or at least 60-95% alcohol-based hand sanitizer at their worksite.
Clean buses/trains and transit stations frequently. Conduct targeted cleanings every four (4) hours, with a focus on disinfecting frequently touched surfaces of the bus/train and at transit stations.
To the extent possible, transit agencies should, but are not required to:
- Implement one-way flow of traffic with front door boarding and rear exiting.
- Use signs at high-traffic stops to encourage physical distancing while waiting for bus/train.
- Install hand sanitizer stations with 60-95% alcohol-based hand sanitizer solution in each bus/train to the extent possible.
- Consider installing clear plastic barriers between driver and passengers when six (6) feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.
- Establish a policy and practice for providing alternate transportation for riders who are ill and need transportation to obtain medical care that limits possible exposure to transit employees and other members of the public.
- Review and implement General Guidance for Employers as applicable.
Are transit agency drivers and employees required to wear face coverings?
Yes. OHA guidance states that transit agencies require employees, contractors and volunteers to wear a mask, face shield, or face covering, unless an accommodation for people with disabilities or other exemption applies. All transit employers must provide masks, face shields, or face coverings for employees. Medical grade masks are not required for transit agency drivers or staff.
Transit agencies should develop and comply with policies and procedures that provide for accommodations and exemptions for employees, contractors and volunteers based on:
- State and federal disabilities laws if applicable, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which protects people with disabilities from discrimination in employment and requires employers to engage in the interactive process for accommodations.
- State or federal labor laws where applicable.
- State and federal public accommodations laws that provide all persons with full and equal access to services, transportation, and facilities open to the public.
- OHA public health guidance if applicable.
Are public transit passengers required to wear face coverings?
Yes. OHA guidance states that transit agencies must require public transit passengers to wear face coverings and provide one for a passenger that does not have one. An individual must wear a face covering unless they meet one of the exemptions specified in the transit agency's face covering policies, consistent with OHA Mask and Face Cover Guidance for Business, Transit, and the Public. “Face covering" means a cloth, paper, or disposable face covering that covers the nose and the mouth.
Transit agencies are required to develop a policy and post clear signs about face covering requirements. A policy that requires customers and visitors to wear face coverings must:
- Provide exceptions to the policy to accommodate people with certain health conditions, or children under two years of age.
- Take into account that places of public accommodation must make reasonable modifications to their policy to allow people with disabilities to access their services.
- Take into account that requiring people to wear face coverings affects people differently including people of color who may have heightened concerns about racial profiling and harassment due to wearing face coverings in public.
The CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face covering to cover their nose and mouth in the community setting. This is an additional public health measure people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to (not instead of) social distancing, frequent hand cleaning and other everyday preventive actions. A cloth face covering is not intended to protect the wearer, but may prevent the spread of virus from the wearer to others. This would be especially important in the event that someone is infected but does not have symptoms. A cloth face covering should be worn whenever people must go into public settings (grocery stores, for example).
How might a transit agency approach enforcing the passenger face covering requirement?
It is up to the discretion of each transit agency to approach the enforcement of this requirement in the manner that best works for the agency and the community it serves. The following are some options for transit providers to consider when developing policies and procedures. Providers are encouraged to research and consider other best practices as the response to the pandemic continues.
While transit agencies are partners in maintaining public health, drivers may not be qualified to accurately assess and diagnose the health condition of passengers. For this reason, passengers may generally be permitted to refrain from wearing a covering if they express any reasonable justification for being unable to do. Drivers should be exceptionally friendly, respectful, courteous, and patient in order to create an environment where the face covering requirement is adhered to by the maximum of number of passengers.
Drivers and agency staff should be discouraged from engaging in any of the following:
- Forcibly preventing a passenger from boarding who refuses to wear a covering.
- Forcibly removing a passenger from a bus who removes their covering while on board.
- Assisting passengers with putting on a face covering.
- Allowing or participating in the harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any passenger who is unable to wear a face covering or has legitimate reasons for refusal.
- Performing temperature checks on passengers as a condition to board.
Can members of the same household sit together? If so, how does this affect the maximum capacity?
OHA guidelines recommend physical distancing from any person who is not a member of one’s household. It is up to the discretion of an agency to determine how members of the same household may ride on transit. If agency policy will allow household members to sit as a group, the maximum capacity must maintain 3 feet of distance between the household group and other passengers. Agencies must post the maximum capacity, or capacity range if household groups may sit together, on each bus.
Under Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-12, are public transportation services considered “essential services” that should continue?
When a state or local municipality issues a “stay home” order, the state or local government entity making the declaration stipulates exactly who/what the “order” applies to and how. Any question or concerns related to such declarations should be presented to the state or local municipality who issued the order for response and guidance.
The State of Oregon has not issued an essential business list. The state, instead, has provided a list of business categories that should STOP OPERATING because the nature of these businesses makes it impossible to adhere to social distancing protocol (for example, nail salons, hair salons, barber shops may not continue operation as it is impossible to provide these services while maintaining appropriate social distance).
If a business can maintain appropriate social distancing, AND it is not in any of the categories listed in Executive Order 20-12, the business may continue operating while adhering to social distancing protocol.
Should transit providers alter services as a result of COVID-19?
Concern regarding public transportation is understandable. Local providers can and should respond to local conditions and needs that may arise due to local stay-at-home guidelines, changes at large employment centers, staff reductions due to illness, or other challenges. Such conditions may make it difficult or impossible for a provider to continue providing services at usual levels or frequency.
In declared emergencies, transit providers work with local emergency management officials to address local needs. With the COVID-19 pandemic, both the state of Oregon and the federal government have declared emergencies.
What should we be telling our passengers?
OHA guidance requires the following:
- Post clear signs, in more than one language, (available at healthoregon.org/coronavirus) at transit stops/centers listing COVID-19 symptoms, asking riders with symptoms to stay home, and who to contact if they need assistance. If someone with symptoms must travel, please use alternate transit, if available.
The CDC recommends the following:
-
Stay home if you're sick.
-
Avoid close contact. Practice 6 feet social distancing between other riders and transit driver.
-
Clean your hands often. Wash vigorously with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
-
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Are Transit Providers required to transport visibly sick riders?
The Federal Transit Administration has provided guidance under 49 CFR 37.5(h) related to transporting visibly sick riders who represent a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
Local public health officials, city or county manager and local legal counsel should be consulted prior to determining whether a transit rider should be denied access in the interest of public health. These decisions should be made at a policy level and not left up to vehicle operator discretion.
OHA guidance recommends that agencies establish a policy and practice for providing alternate transportation for riders who are ill and need transportation to obtain medical care that limits possible exposure to transit employees and other members of the public.
What resources are available to transit providers to continue operating for passengers who have no other travel options?
The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides new Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 and 5311 funding to assist providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, was signed into law on Friday, March 27. See ODOT Public Transportation Division’s latest communication on distributing these funds.
Because Governor Brown has declared a state of emergency for Oregon, transit providers have expanded eligibility for federal assistance. Current subrecipients of Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program funding are allowed to use existing operating funds for COVID-19-related expenses “…to protect the health and safety of their riders and their workforce" , and these expenses will be covered at a 100 percent federal share rather than 50 percent. Eligible activities include: “. . . emergency protective measures to eliminate or lessen threats to public health and safety, such as cleaning/sanitizing of rolling stock, stations, bus shelters, etc.; placing hand sanitizer dispensers in high traffic areas; and providing personal protective equipment as appropriate." Source: FTA
Finally, with the federal disaster declaration, local governments are eligible for FEMA relief and they can pass resources on to public transportation agencies if they are assisting with emergency functions. Local transportation agencies who wish to apply for FEMA funding should check with their county emergency management office to see how they intend to handle the FEMA application process.
Can 5310 and 5311 funds be used to provide meal delivery?
Yes, 5310 and 5311-funded vehicles can be used to provide meal delivery.
Subrecipients can pay for operating meal delivery services through the following:
- 5311: This can be done with CARES funding (100%) match rate and the Emergency Relief enhanced match rate (100%)
- 5310: This can be done with the regular match rate. The enhanced match rates are not available for 5310.
Has FTA waived any federal requirements?
Transit agencies responding to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may use the Emergency Relief Docket to request a waiver from FTA administrative and regulatory requirements, as well as the provisions of any non-statutory FTA requirements.
Some federal requirements include specific provisions related to emergencies, and therefore, no FTA waiver is necessary.
The FTA's COVID-19 FAQs page provides additional details and contact information regarding waiver requests.
FAQS regarding the Special Transportation Fund (STF)
Can funding from the Special Transportation Fund (STF) be used to support transportation services other than public transportation services?
Per Oregon administrative rule and statute, STF moneys will be used for financing and improving transportation programs and services for the Elderly and People with Disabilities and may be used for the following purposes:
- Maintenance of existing transportation programs and services for the Elderly and People with Disabilities.
- Expansion of such programs and services.
- Creation of new programs and services.
- Planning for, and development of, access to transportation for the Elderly and People with Disabilities who are not currently served by transportation programs and services.
The designated uses of STF funds are determined by local priority, through a local STF Advisory Committee process. If a local STF Agency and Advisory Committee determine that local citizens, particularly seniors and people with disabilities are not able to access regular services, the local agency can determine that providing meals or pharmaceutical delivery is an appropriate use for these funds and would benefit those vulnerable populations. The same process could apply to cleaning and disinfecting measures, and even transporting personnel for medical or emergency purposes.
Can STF funds from one STF Agency be used to fund services in an adjacent STF Agency’s area of responsibility?
Yes. Access to essential services is not limited by jurisdictional boundaries, and frequently involves travel to another community outside the general area of an STF Agency. Multiple STF agencies should work cooperatively with Providers and other individuals and agencies, to more effectively apply funding and other resources to meet common transportation needs of people unable to drive, with low- incomes, with disabilities and older adults. Coordination actions may reduce duplication of service, reduce cost, increase service levels or make services more widely available in a community.
FAQs regarding the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF)
Can funding from the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) be used to maintain existing public transportation services?
Under existing state law, STIF funds cannot be used to maintain existing public transportation services. In order to use STIF funds for existing service maintenance, state law must be changed.
If the legislature took action in a special session to allow STIF to be used to maintain existing services, how quickly could this occur and what is the process to make it happen?
The timing of potential use of STIF funds for this currently-ineligible purpose depends upon whether the Legislature merely suspends the current eligibility requirements, establishes a new process for using funds for this purpose, or something different altogether.
If the Legislature merely suspends the current eligibility requirements, providers with existing approved STIF plans could begin expending STIF Formula funds on service maintenance immediately.
If the Legislature establishes a new process, funds may not be available for a period of months and may require approval or endorsement from PTAC and/or the OTC.
ODOT will continue to advocate for flexibility for STIF funds in response to the current COVID emergency. If the Legislature takes action to broaden STIF eligibility to include maintenance of existing services, ODOT will work to ensure those funds are made available as swiftly as possible.
Can STIF funding be used to support transportation services other than public transportation services?
No, STIF statutes limit STIF use to financing investments and improvements in public transportation services, except for light rail capital. Use of STIF to fund other services and transportation needs would require a statutory amendment.
COVID-19 FAQs for Passengers
Can I still use public transit?
Yes. Public transportation is a vital link, and sometimes the only means, for Oregonians to access employment, healthcare and other important services including access to groceries and pharmacies. Governor Brown's March 23 Executive Order directs all of us to stay home to the maximum extent possible and only go out when necessary.
The state and federal government intend to continue transit connections while keeping services as safe as possible during this pandemic. Transit providers are taking actions to continue to provide services, including:
- Increased sanitation and disinfecting of vehicle interiors.
- Posting health directives from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
- Implementing passenger spacing protocols.
- Requiring riders to wear face coverings (refer to your local transit provider for policy details).
- Providing hand sanitizer for employees and passengers.
What should I consider when deciding to take a bus or train?
Concern regarding public transportation is understandable during this time. If you must travel outside your home, use the same precautions you would for all travel.
Please only take transit if necessary and maintain 3 feet of distance from other people and 6 feet of distance from the operator if you do ride. Many buses and trains are running to transport medical staff, first responders and other essential workers where they need to go. By avoiding unnecessary trips, you're helping give them the space they need to ride safely.
Please refer to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Guidance for the General Public when traveling and using public transit.
Status as of Thursday, March 19, 12:30 p.m.
Beginning Saturday, March 21, Amtrak Cascades passenger rail service is reduced in Oregon and Washington. The service reduction is scheduled to last until April 4 but may be extended.
Amtrak is using deep-cleaning methods to help protect against the virus and because ridership has dipped, officials are finding that there is plenty of room on the trains to follow the social distancing guidelines. Amtrak is also offering flexibility around fees. See Amtrak.com for details or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Status as of Tuesday, March 31, 2020 5 pm
Please follow the POINT Facebook page and check the POINT website for the latest updates. Operations will continue as long as is feasible and safe to do so in order to ensure that essential travel can continue for our passengers who need it.
Are public meetings cancelled?
Updated March 24, 2020, 12 p.m.
Yes. We are moving many of our open houses and public comment meetings to our on-line open house section of the ODOT webpage.
Special Event Permits Status
Status as of Thursday, March 19, 12:30 p.m.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has stopped issuing special event permits for events to be held on the state highway system prior to April 14 that would attract 25 or more people. Current permits for this time period are being canceled and event organizers notified. Permits may be issued for events after April 14th, however organizers should be aware that the COVID-19 situation is evolving quickly and may require extending the ban on events.
This decision was made to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health of Oregonians. We look forward to working with our communities to hold these events when the crisis is over.
Public Transit COVID-19 Updates
May 7, 2020
The ODOT Public Transportation Division (PTD) has successfully secured a supply of protective cloth face coverings through Oregon's Emergency Coordination Center. These coverings are not medical grade surgical or N95 masks, such as those used by healthcare professionals; however, they are useful as protection against the spread of the coronavirus and may be washed for repeated use.
PTD will be providing these face coverings to public transportation providers across Oregon, free of charge. Distribution methods and recipients are at each agency's discretion. We are prioritizing delivery to rural agencies, as supply options may be limited in those areas. Once initial rural orders are filled, additional requests will be considered depending on the remaining supply. There is a limit of 200 per agency at a time.
To indicate your interest in obtaining a supply of face coverings, please complete the order form located here:
Face Covering Order Form and submit it to PTD for processing.
We will arrange delivery to the address provided on the form. Delivery may take up to two weeks from PTD's receipt of the order form. In the event that an order cannot be filled, PTD will contact the requestor immediately.
We are very interested in keeping bus drivers, staff that routinely interact with the public, and passengers healthy during this pandemic. Providing these face coverings is just one of many measures we are all taking during this time.
May 4, 2020
FTA is pleased to share this
thank you video from Secretary Elaine L. Chao to the thousands of public transit employees that are still on the job in communities all across the country. Transit employees represent critical infrastructure workers responsible for transporting police, doctors, nurses, grocery store clerks and other essential workers to and from work every day. Many public transit employees are making incredible sacrifices to ensure that America keeps moving during this incredibly difficult time.
We sincerely appreciate all that they do.
With Appreciation,
K. Jane Williams
Acting Administrator
Federal Transit Administration
April 2, 2020
This morning the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released apportionment tables for the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act" or “CARES Act." This legislation includes provisions for new transit funding to assist providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding package is the largest transit appropriation in history and will benefit recipients of Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grants and Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas.
Details on apportionments to Oregon are listed below. Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas funds will be distributed by the Oregon Department of Transportation to subrecipients of the 5311 program. More details about this distribution will be forthcoming in a separate communication early next week that will include the application process and schedule. Although the timing of funding availability is contingent on grant review and approvals by FTA, ODOT hopes to make funds available to our Section 5311 sub-recipients by late May.
Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grants and Section 5311(c) Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Formula Grants will both be administered directly between the FTA and direct recipients. We encourage direct recipients to work with their FTA contacts for details on the obligation and timing of disbursement of these funds.
Administered by ODOT:
Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas: $42,686,023
Directly Administered between FTA and Recipients:
Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grants:
- Large Urban:
- Portland: $176,302,899[i]
- Eugene: $25,533,427
- Salem: $15,668,434
- Small Urban:
- Albany: $2,815,285
- Bend: $3,871,978
- Corvallis: $7,354,971
- Grants Pass: $2,300,237
- Longview, WA-OR: $136,724[ii]
- Medford: $7,711,666
- Walla-Walla, WA-OR: $647,389[iii]
5311(c) Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Formula Grants:
- Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians: $65,472
- Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon: $103,788
- Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation: $469,532
- Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs: $69,237
- Klamath Tribes: $99,520
Additionally, the FTA released an updated FAQ about CARES Act funding, that is available at:
https://www.transit.dot.gov/frequently-asked-questions-fta-grantees-regarding-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19#CARES
Resources
American Public Transportation Association: https://www.apta.com/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.coronavirus.gov/
FTA: https://www.transit.dot.gov/coronavirus
National RTAP: http://nationalrtap.org/Resource-Center/Advanced-Search/fid/1082
ODOT COVID-19 Page: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/pages/incident.aspx
ODOT PTD COVID-19 Page: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/RPTD/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
Tax Foundation: https://files.taxfoundation.org/20200325223111/FINAL-FINAL-CARES-ACT.pdf
[i] This is the Oregon portion of the Portland/Vancouver Metropolitan Area allocation.
[ii] This is the Oregon portion of the bi-state urbanized area allocation.
[iii] This is the Oregon portion of the bi-state urbanized area allocation.
March 30, 2020
In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, most Oregon transit providers are adjusting their services and schedules frequently, and quickly. Under an ODOT agreement for GTFS creation and maintenance, our vendor – Trillium Solutions - is ready to help agencies update service and schedule disruptions in Google Maps and other trip planning apps. (There are no new costs for transit providers.)
Trillium will quickly post temporary service changes to your GTFS feeds to ensure your riders are getting current and accurate information. Additionally, they have offered to post
Service Alerts which can flag routes that are now operating reduced, or no, service. For providers who are not currently purchasing this service, there are no additional costs.
Please send your current schedule, and all future changes, to
support@trilliumtransit.com so Trillium can distribute your service changes as soon as possible. Please also continue to send additional updates as you make them.
*ODOT contracts directly with Trillium Solutions to maintain and update GTFS for Oregon transit providers.
March 27, 2020
First and foremost, thank you for your efforts to keep your staff and passengers safe as you connect people to critical services. And thank you for your patience as we work to stay current and share information.
In case you missed them, here are some highlights from last week with the most recent information listed and linked to first:
- The federal
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides new Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 and 5311 funding to assist providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, was signed into law on Friday, March 27. See ODOT Public Transportation Division’s latest communication on distributing these funds
here.
- U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao recently announced that the deadlines for several FTA competitive grant programs will be extended by 30 days. The
Extension applies to grant programs with active
FTA Notices of Funding Opportunities and includes:
- The Public Transportation Division’s
COVID 19 page now includes two sets of Frequently Asked Questions, one for public transportation providers and one for passengers. This information is available to use when responding to inquiries from the public, elected officials, or staff.
March 17, 2020
On March 13, 2020, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced increased flexibility to help transit agencies respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) in states where the Governor has declared an emergency. Since Oregon’s Governor has declared a state of emergency, these measures apply to transit agencies in the state.
Expanded eligibility for federal assistance during this time includes allowing subrecipients of Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program funding to use operating funds for COVID-19-related expenses “…to protect the health and safety of their riders and their workforce”. Eligible activities include:
“. . . emergency protective measures to eliminate or lessen threats to public health and safety, such as cleaning/sanitizing of rolling stock, stations, bus shelters, etc.; placing hand sanitizer dispensers in high traffic areas; and providing personal protective equipment as appropriate.” Source:
FTAAdditionally, the announcement allows all transit providers in states where the Governor has declared an emergency related to COVID-19 to use their federal formula funds for operating expenses in addition to capital expenses and permits operating expenses to be covered at an 80 percent federal share rather than 50 percent.
Note: The ODOT Public Transportation Division (PTD) is clarifying with FTA whether transit providers may use the sliding scale rate of 89.73 percent rather than the stated 80 percent rate in the announcement. We will update this guidance as we receive that clarification.
Furthermore, 5307 and 5311 recipients are eligible to request temporary relief from specific federal requirements under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 as well as any non-statutory FTA requirements and detailed instructions can be found on the
regulations web page.
Some examples of requirements that could be temporarily relieved in response to this emergency include expansion of the use of transit assets to respond to the emergency outside of the FTA definition of incidental use (e.g., delivering food to housebound individuals) or public notices of scheduled changes.
In response to this announcement, RPTD is taking steps to make the more favorable match rate available to our subrecipients and gathering information regarding possible waivers.
March 13, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions from FTA Grantees Regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
These FAQs provide clarity regarding how COVID-19 preparations impact certain FTA requirements. They also contain recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help grantees and subgrantees prepare for COVID-19.
As part of our effort to support a coordinated DOT approach to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), FTA has created a FTAresponse@dot.gov email account to receive all stakeholder questions on the topic.
March 12, 2020
State of Oregon - Updated Mitigation Measures on Coronavirus Response
Pursuant to directives from Governor Brown, the State of Oregon is issuing the following guidance, with the primary goal of slowing transmission of the coronavirus in Oregon in order to protect the most vulnerable Oregonians, and to protect our state’s health care system capacity. This guidance follows updated guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released March 10, 2020, and the World Health Organization’s designation of COVID-19 as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020.
Transit-related Recommendations
Individuals and entities providing transit services are recommended to:
- Post or play reminders to stay home when sick;
- Encourage individual to travel only when essential;
- Avoid crowding, and encourage social distancing;
- Increase cleaning.
Ride shares are encouraged to clean regularly and have windows down, when
possible.
Here is the full updated mitigation measures on Coronavirus response.