Winnipeg, MB – Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living has indicated of potential COVID-19 exposures on Winnipeg Transit on Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6.
On both days, a passenger rode route 55 between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., boarding at St. Mary Avenue and Garry Street, and exiting Lyndale Drive and St. Mary’s Road.
Whenever Winnipeg Transit is made aware of a potential COVID-19 exposure, scheduling information is cross-referenced, and any operators identified to have been driving potentially affected buses are notified so appropriate follow-up measures can be taken.
Residents are reminded that if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19, they are advised to visit a testing site as soon as possible. Those who have concerns about symptoms or who are unsure whether they should be tested can call Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll free at 1-888-315-9257. For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, visit: manitoba.ca/covid19.
Winnipeg Transit began requiring the use of masks that cover the mouth, nose and chin on buses and in Transit Plus vehicles on August 29, 2020, in addition to other measures brought in as part of our ongoing commitment to protect the health and safety of passengers and staff.
These measures include an enhanced sanitization program that sees all buses treated with a hospital grade sanitizer at least once every 48 hours, using electrostatic sprayers aimed primarily at high-touch point areas. You can learn more about the cleaning procedure in this video.
Passengers are reminded of their role in safe Transit use, and asked to follow these guidelines:
- Maintain a reasonable separation between yourself and others.
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands before and after riding transit and refraining from touching your face.
- Wear a non-medical mask that covers your nose, mouth and chin at all times.
- Be kind to others who may not be able to wear a non-medical mask.
- Exit at the rear door if you are able in order to reduce crowding. Passengers who need to exit using the front door, such as wheelchair users, can still do so.
- Consider riding in off-peak hours if possible to help make sure there’s space for everyone who needs it.
- Don’t board buses that don’t have enough room for you to keep a distance between yourself and others.
- Our operators are covered by shields that are to remain fully deployed at all times to stop the spread of COVID-19. We ask our passengers to stay back from the shield and to move away from the operator once fare is paid.
- If you are sick; follow advice to isolate and do not take public transit.
Passengers are also reminded that single-use masks are available at Winnipeg Transit Customer Service Centres as part of our efforts to educate the public on the mask requirement. More information about how to wear a mask safely and our ongoing efforts to keep Transit safe is available on the Winnipeg Transit Response to COVID-19 page.