Four Brantford Transit employees test positive for COVID-19

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BRANTFORD, ON – Today, the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) declared a workplace outbreak at the Brantford Transit terminal after four Brantford Transit employees tested positive for COVID-19. A workplace outbreak is declared when there are two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with an epidemiological link in the workplace within a 14-day period, where cases could have reasonably acquired their infection in the workplace.

At this time, public health officials believe transit users would be at low-risk of transmission resulting from this outbreak. Public Health has also determined Brantford Transit is following proper cleaning protocols whereby each vehicle is thoroughly cleaned every night after service using a disinfectant cleaner which is on the approved list for use against COVID-19 by Health Canada. The enhanced cleaning regiment also includes additional disinfecting on frequent touch points with focus on fare collection machines, handrails, and other high touch points.

As per typical case and contact management protocols, the individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been directed to self-isolate for 10 more days. All others who were identified as close contacts have been notified and are currently self-isolating for 14 days.

The City of Brantford takes the health and safety of the public we serve and our employees very seriously and upon learning of each case, any related vehicles in use by Brantford Transit employees who tested positive were immediately pulled out of service, parked for 24 hours, and fogged with disinfectant.

With BCHU approval, the Brantford Transit Terminal will remain open. Any transit rider who attended the Brantford Transit Terminal  between the period of April 6th and April 12th who is concerned about a possible exposure or is experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, can contact the Brant Community Healthcare System to arrange for assessment and testing.

Service Modifications

With the current province-wide Stay-at-Home order, the public is reminded that as an essential service, Brantford Transit is to be used for people leaving their home for essential reasons only.

In an effort to help further protect the health and safety of passengers and staff, beginning Monday April 19th, 2021, and consistent with the Brantford Transit schedule during the Stay-at-Home order last year at this time, Brantford Transit will operate on an hourly service schedule seven days per week as outlined below, subject to driver availability. Please continue to monitor schedules frequently as schedules may require further modification without advance notice.

  • Monday to Friday AM rush half hour service from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
  • Monday to Saturday service will start at 8 a.m. and run hourly until 8 p.m.
  • Monday to Saturday evening routes will operate hourly 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
  • No changes to Sunday service, it will continue to operate hourly from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • 15 passenger-limit on all services with extra shuttles available, if required

A dedicated shuttle bus will support the North West Industrial Area (NWIA) leaving the terminal on the half hour from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Route 8 will also service the NWIA once an hour leaving the terminal on the hour Monday to Saturday. These service level changes will remain in place until further notice.     

There are no changes to services levels for Brantford Lift at this time.

We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we continue to look at different ways to provide reliable, sustained service for those passengers who need it most. Additional updates regarding modifications to City programs and services are shared regularly on the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages and at brantford.ca/coronavirus.

Please visit brantford.ca/OpenandClosed for an up-to-date list of the status of all City facilities.

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Media Contact: 

Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca

 

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