Otero/Crowley Health Department Transportation Guidelines 

THIS IS A RAPIDLY EVOLVING AND FLUID SITUATION.  INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT. 

The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Tuesday 11/3/2020 at 11:25 am. 

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY 

11/3/2020 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #3:  Updated Public Transportation Guidance

Please take the time to read and understand this entire message. 

Internet links:  Before I send out each update, I check the links to make sure they are active.  However, links do change from time to time, so the links I sent out today may not be the same tomorrow.  You may have to search around a bit.

Howdy yet again!  Yesterday the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released updated guidance for transportation, finalized after the public comment period soliciting

feedback from stakeholders and the public.

Agencies or individuals providing public transportation, including rideshares and taxis, should follow this guidance to protect themselves, passengers, and employees from COVID-19. The revised guidance adds some capacity suggestions, physical distancing and ventilation recommendations, strengthens mask requirements, and updates for clarity throughout.

 Physical distancing and ventilation:

1.      Limit vehicle capacity to 50% of posted seated capacity or occupancy while allowing for at least one seat or row in between individuals from different households. Operators and passengers should ensure 6 feet of physical distance between non-household groups to the greatest extent possible.

2.      To create distance between passengers, consider:

a.       Cordoning off seats or portions of vehicles; or

b.      Skipping stops when vehicles are at capacity.

3.      To create distance between passengers and drivers, consider:

a.       Blocking off the first one or two seats immediately behind or beside the driver’s seat;

b.      Having passengers board through rear doors, if available;

c.       If riders must enter through a front door, having the driver stand outside during boarding; or

d.      For taxis and rideshares, having passengers use only the back seat.

4.      When possible, open windows -- one on each side of the vehicle -- to maximize ventilation.

5.      Post signs reminding passengers that physical distancing requirements apply to public transport.

6.      Post signs informing customers that they can opt in to the Exposure Notifications service so they may be alerted more quickly in the event they are exposed to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. Learn more at https://www.addyourphone.com/

For passengers, the updated guidance now requires all passengers over the age of 10 years to wear a mask at all times and advises that passengers to:

1.      Have children ages 2-10 wear a mask, if possible.

2.      Avoid public transit if they are sick, positive for COVID-19, or if they think or know they have been exposed to COVID-19.

3.      Adhere to physical distancing guidelines regarding spacing between passengers.

4.      Follow guidance from operators and respect that they are critical workers who should be regarded with utmost concern for their health and safety during this challenging time.

As we know, public health orders are changed/amended from time to time.  Please stay up to “speed” (pun intended, as we are talking about vehicles) on public transportation guidance here:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/public-transportation

Until next time (which could be later today, who knows), 

Richard Ritter, Executive Director

Otero County Health Department

13 West 3rd Street, Room 111

La Junta, Colorado 81050

719-383-3045 (Office)

719-383-3060 (Fax)

rritter@oterogov.org

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