Coronavirus Precautions: MTA Cleaning Subways And Stations To Stop The Spread
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is stepping up its cleaning protocol in response to the latest coronavirus cases in our area.
Now that the virus has officially arrived in New York City and its suburbs, the MTA said riders will be seeing a lot more masked workers cleaning buses, train cars and subway stations, detailing turnstiles, handrails, and MetroCard machines, during their commutes.
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Transit officials said this new protocol ensures the full fleet will be sanitized every 72 hours, all to prevent the disease from spreading.
"The whole challenge is about containment of the number of people who become exposed and who become infected," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "You're not going to the eliminate the spread, but you can limit the spread."
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There are two confirmed cases of the virus in the state. Officials said the 39-year-old Manhattan woman confirmed to have coronavirus has not used public transportation since she returned from Iran and exhibited symptoms. However, the 50-year-old Westchester County man who contracted the disease works in Manhattan. It's unknown if he used Metro-North, which is included in the MTA's upgraded cleaning plan, along with Long Island Rail Road and Access-A-Ride.
"Your safety is our highest priority," MTA Chairman Pat Foye said. "Metro-North has disinfected 60% of its fleet ... and 64 of its 124 stations. The rest are being completed today. The Long Island Rail Road has disinfected its three busiest terminals -- Jamaica, Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal. In addition, 121 stations are being cleaned as we speak [and] 300 LIRR cars have been cleaned. Access-A-Ride has disinfected 100% of its vans."
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City officials said riders shouldn't be surprised if they smell bleach, because it's part of the new cleaning method.
"I'm thrilled to hear that the city is actually taking part and doing something proactive to keep people from getting the flu or the coronavirus," Manhattan resident Marc Schwartz told CBS2.
"I'm happy that they're being vigilant and they're protecting the public," said Long Island resident Daniel Yomtobian.
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Health officials are still encouraging New Yorkers to commute as they always have, saying individuals need to be exposed to coronavirus for a prolonged period of time in order to contract the disease.
