By Cecilia Nasmith

The Town of Cobourg has made public transit free through April 19 in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by reducing interaction with drivers through the passing of change and tickets.

The hope was also expressed that social distancing might be practiced among transit passengers. Drivers will be monitoring the number of customers who board the buses to control the numbers, if necessary, to further promote social distancing.

The town is urging everyone only to use public transit if absolutely necessary for such errands as medical appointments and grocery and pharmacy visits, with the following tips offered.

Apart from those requiring the accessible ramps at the front door, all passengers are asked to use only the rear doors to board and disembark.

Keep a minimum of two metres apart from the driver and from other riders.

Minimize your interactions with the driver, and refrain from sitting close to him or her.

All Wheels riders must ensure their assistive devices are sanitized before boarding the bus.

“We are amending our public transit protocol in response to keeping the community and drivers safe from the spread of COVID-19,” Director of Public Works Laurie Wills said in the town's press release.

“We are strongly promoting social separation and, when requiring riders to use the rear doors, we are limiting the interaction with the driver to drop off cash or tickets in the fare box.”

The announcement also shared the fundamental rule of social distancing from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention – keep six feet between you and others, and avoid mass gatherings. To this end, they suggest working from home (if possible), avoiding public transportation (if possible), not shaking hands, limiting non-essential travel, and avoiding crowded gyms and restaurants. Going outside is not inadvisable if the six-foot rule is observed, no public surfaces are touched and hands are washed immediately after going back inside.