For Immediate Release Media Contact: Laura Koprowski, Chief Communications and Customer Experience Officer lkoprowski@tarta.com Office: 419.245.5219 Mobile: 419.764.5951
TARTA COVID Update: Two Employees Test Positive
(TOLEDO, Nov. 21, 2020) –Two additional employees of the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) have tested positive for COVID-19. One employee has job duties that do not include physical interaction with the public. The second employee is a bus operator and last drove a transit vehicle on Nov. 13, 2020. All TARTA bus operators are required to wear facial masks, sit behind a protective plastic barrier and practice social distancing from passengers.
Following TARTA standard protocol, the vehicle last operated by the employee was cleaned and disinfected prior to returning to service. TARTA also conducts nightly disinfection of work areas with CDC approved cleaning agents and is committed to continuing this practice. Additionally, TARTA conducts a thorough analysis to determine if other staff members may have been in contact with these employees at less than six feet and for more than 10 minutes.
On Nov. 18, 2020, TARTA informed the public about three employees testing positive for COVID-19. These included two administrative employees and one paratransit driver. These employees remain on leave. TARTA is complying with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy requirements regarding the sensitive health information of employees who have tested positive.
TARTA has been working diligently to provide all employees and riders with the safest possible environment. Since early March, TARTA has taken multiple steps and developed mandatory employee safety protocols including:
Employees are encouraged not to report to work if they are, or suspect to be, sick.
Employee work areas are sanitized and disinfected daily.
TARTA provides all employees with facial masks. Employees are always required to wear a facial mask unless they are in a solitary work environment such as an office.
TARTA remains fare free to minimize interaction between employees and customers.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hand sanitizer and gloves are provided to all employees.
TARTA regularly informs employees about best practices and protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Non-essential employees are working remotely.
TARTA facilities have been closed to the public to limit the spread of COVID-19.
For more information on TARTA’s efforts related to COVID-19, rider safety guidelines and links to critical resources visit https://tarta.com/coronavirus.
