A maintenance worker at Metro’s Division 5 bus yard in South Los Angeles has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
The employee was last at work on Monday, March 16, and Metro received confirmation of a positive COVID-19 test on Monday, March 23. The worker had been hospitalized but was released to go home and recover under quarantine.
Co-workers at Division 5 who may have been in contact with the employee within the past 14 days have been notified by Metro. Per U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols, they have been asked to self-monitor their health, including taking their temperatures twice each day and seeking health care if they develop a fever or other symptoms of the virus.
Metro thoroughly cleaned and disinfected the areas of Division 5 where the employee worked on Tuesday morning (March 24).
Metro continues to run bus and rail service for health-care workers, first responders, essential personnel and those who must work. If you’re not in those categories, we ask that you do your part, stay home and socially distance yourself from others.
Metro also continues to do its best to protect riders and agency employees from COVID-19. Cleaning regimes on buses, trains and facilities has been strengthened. Gloves are available to bus operators who are also required to use the protective barriers between the driver’s seat and the remainder of the bus.
Metro strongly encourages social distancing. On Monday, Metro began rear-door only boarding and exiting on its bus system with the exception of those who need to use the ramp. While you are not expected to use the fare box or tap validator at the front of the bus, please be in possession of fare during travel.
We are also asking all riders and employees to remain vigilant about following best health practices, including:
–Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Hand washing tips from the CDC are here. And try not to touch your face.
–Stay home if you are sick.
–Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue.
–Make sure you are using a robust, regular cleaning schedule for frequently touched surfaces such as cell phones and computers.
Categories: Transportation Headlines
I know directly from an employee that they were not notified. They found out from outside sources. They are expected to continue to work unless they have a fever.
Hi Lawana;
With all due respect, to clarify — we are asking employees to be diligent about self monitoring and to absolutely stay home if feeling sick or showing any symptoms of the virus (or the flu or other contagious illness). As part of that, we’re also advising employees to take their temperatures because that’s one way to determine if you are showing symptoms. We’re doing our best to notify employees when someone does test positive.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
Can you confirm that I’m reading this correctly? When a contractor tested positive for COVID-19, everyone that worked on the same floor was put into quarantine. In contrast, when a Metro maintenance employee tested positive (and at this point, there’s been at least one more at another division), co-workers with a history of contact are not being quarantined, are still reporting to work, and Metro’s strategy to protect employees and their families is… thermometers?