Traveller on multiple YRT bus routes tests positive for COVID-19

NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGION PUBLIC HEALTH
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York Region Public Health has received laboratory confirmation an individual travelling on York Region Transit (YRT) has tested positive for COVID-19. York Region Public Health was first notified of the confirmed case on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020
 
To assist with contact tracing, York Region has issued a Public Notice for individuals who travelled on the following routes and times:
 
Sept. 17:

• YRT Route 25 from Major Mackenzie Drive East and Spadina Avenue heading westbound to Major Mackenzie Drive East and Yonge Street in the City of Richmond Hill from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• YRT Route 99 from Major Mackenzie Drive East and Yonge Street at approximately 1 p.m. heading southbound to Hillcrest Mall in the City of Richmond Hill
• YRT Route 99 from Hillcrest Mall heading northbound to Elgin Mills Road East and Yonge Street in the City of Richmond Hill at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 18:

• YRT Route 83 from Silverwood Avenue and Yonge Street to Mackenzie Health hospital in the City of Richmond Hill from approximately 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• YRT Route 83 from Mackenzie Health hospital to Silverwood Avenue and Yonge Street in the City of Richmond Hill from approximately 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Sept. 19:

• YRT Route 91A from approximately 19th Avenue and Bayview Avenue in the City of Richmond Hill heading southbound to TTC Finch station in the City of Toronto from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• YRT Route 91A from TTC Finch station in the City of Toronto heading northbound to approximately 19th Avenue and Bayview Avenue in the City of Richmond Hill from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 23:

• YRT Route 83 from Silverwood Avenue and Yonge Street to Mackenzie Health hospital in the City of Richmond Hill from approximately 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• YRT Route 83 from Mackenzie Health hospital to Silverwood Avenue and Yonge Street in the City of Richmond Hill from approximately 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

If you travelled on any of the YRT buses listed above on the dates and times provided, York Region Public Health advises:

• Monitor yourself for new/worsening signs and symptoms related to COVID-19 until Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 (14 days after last possible exposure)
• If you are currently experiencing symptoms, self-isolate immediately and seek assessment and testing at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre
• Anyone experiencing at least one symptom of COVID-19 or exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 is encouraged to visit an Assessment Centre for testing
• Download the COVID-ALERT app: get a phone alert if you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and let others know if you test positive without sharing any personal, health or location information; visit covid-19.ontario.ca/covidalert for more app details and links to download to your Smartphone

In compliance with YRT’s mandatory face mask or covering bylaw, the individual wore a mask while travelling on YRT, reducing the risk of transmission of the virus to others.

YRT takes the health and safety of all travellers and staff seriously. YRT has implemented numerous health and safety initiatives to help keep travellers and staff as safe as possible, including:

• Mandatory wearing of face masks or coverings on all YRT services
• Enhancing cleaning and disinfection of buses/vehicles and facilities
• Instructing travellers to board through the front doors and exit buses through the rear-doors to create one-way flow
• Encouraged travellers to use contactless payment methods, such as PRESTO or the YRT Pay app
• Barrier shields installed at the bus driver cabs providing additional physical separation for bus drivers and travellers while front-door boarding and safe use of the space at the front of buses

YRT will continue to monitor updates to public health recommendations and provincial guidelines to ensure the transit system is adequately prepared to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
 
Residents can also help reduce the spread of this virus by following the following public health guidelines:

• Practice physical distancing with anyone outside of your social circle by staying 2 metres away from others and wear a 2-layer face mask or covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained
• Wear a face mask or covering when inside public places
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• Stay home when you are sick or feeling unwell
• Monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and seek assessment and testing if necessary

For more information on York Region’s response to COVID-19, visit york.ca/covid19

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