Cobourg adjusts transit in response to COVID-19
By Cecilia Nasmith
Effective immediately, the Town of Cobourg transit services have undergone additional changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to enhance public safety.
On conventional transit, there is now a limit of eight people per bus to permit sufficient social distancing. Passengers must sit at least two metres away from others (including the driver) and must have a destination drop-off within one hour (that is not the same location they boarded from). As well, bus windows will be open to promote air circulation.
On WHEELS Transit, there is a limit of one person per trip, or multiple people from the same household. Recurring or prescription bookings are temporarily cancelled, and bookings can only be made up to two days in advance. Passengers will be asked a number of pre-screening questions at the time of booking:
Have you received public-health or medical advice to self-monitor or self-isolate?
Are you presenting with fever, a new onset of cough or difficulty breathing?
Have you travelled outside of Canada within the past 14 days?
Did you have close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19?
Did you have close contact with anyone who has travelled outside of Canada within the past 14 days?
Anyone needing a WHEELS appointment is asked only to call 905-373-0582 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Bookings for Saturday, Sunday or Monday must be made by the preceding Friday at 5 p.m. until further notice. Please avoid leaving messages, as staffing may be reduced and response times delayed.
Following the recommendation of the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Town of Cobourg encourages all residents to stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave. All citizens are being discouraged to use transit services for purpose other than travelling to a medical appointment, pharmacy or grocery store.
The Town of Cobourg reminds everyone if the dedicated COVID-19 webpage it has launched, which includes program and service updates, news from the municipality and risk-reduction advice. Updates will be posted to www.cobourg.ca/covid19 as they come in.
For local health-unit updates, visit the Haliburtion Kawartha Pine Ridge District health Unit at www.hkpr.on.ca.
