TheBus Operator Tests Positive for COVID-19
A TheBus operator has tested positive for coronavirus, Oʻahu Transit Services, Inc. (OTS), operator of TheBus confirmed today. This is the third positive test by a TheBus driver in the past four days.
On Friday, 10/30/2020, the operator informed OTS that they had tested positive for COVID-19. The operator’s last day of work was Monday, 10/26/2020 after being on leave from the 19th to 25th. The operator experienced symptoms after work on 10/26/2020, and called in sick Tuesday, 10/27. Operator was tested on 10/29 and received a positive result 10/30.
Upon notification, OTS began internal contact tracing and found no prolonged contact with any employees or customers. The mandatory face covering requirement to ride TheBus has greatly reduced operator and rider contact. The vehicles driven in or by the operator have been thoroughly disinfected and cleaned.
TheBus has taken steps to reduce the risk of infection while riding or operating a transit vehicle. Plastic curtains have been installed on all buses to provide a barrier between drivers and passengers as they board. Seats closest to the operator have been made unavailable to provide greater space and extra buses have been added on busy routes to provide more area for physical separation. All buses and vans are disinfected daily by wiping down all touch surfaces manually with a strong anti-virus disinfectant and receive nightly disinfecting fogging using an electrostatic spraying system. All OTS employees are temperature checked daily.
The City continues to remind the public that only essential trips should be taken on public transit, and that wearing a face mask or covering while entering and riding on a bus or a TheHandi-Van is required. Transit riders should continue practicing good hygiene and physical distancing. People who are sick or in poor health conditions should stay at home and not ride public transit.
