On June 11, 2020, the Ontario government released safety guidelines for public transit agencies to help protect employees and passengers as more people return to work. The guidance document includes tips and best practices such as physical distancing, installing physical barriers between drivers and passengers, using physical markers between seats, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and recommending the use of face coverings for passengers.
Additionally, the provincial transit agency, Metrolinx, has developed safety strategies and an educational campaign to inform GO transit passengers of best practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.
This new guidance provided by the government is a positive development for employers are currently operating in their usual workplaces or are preparing to return employees to work, as the new measures that will be implemented as a result may relieve safety concerns among employees who rely on public transit to commute to work.
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