Safety Tips for COVID-19

As businesses, schools, and community organizations begin to once again provide services, you might be traveling more. Consider ways that you can protect yourself and slow the spread of COVID-19 when using your local transit services, and think about what is feasible, practical, and acceptable to you. See tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for how to stay safe while running essential errands.

General Guidelines

When using any type of transportation, follow these general CDC guidelines:

Wash Your Hands.

  • Before you leave, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • As soon as possible after arriving at your destination, wash your hands again with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Practice Social Distancing.

During travel, try to keep at least 6 feet from people who are not in your household — for example, when you are waiting at a bus station or selecting seats on a train.

Wear a Mask.

Wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when social distancing is difficult. Masks are meant to protect the wearer and other people as well.

Masks should not be placed on:

  • Babies and children younger than 2.
  • Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious.
  • Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Stay Home When Sick.

People who are sick or have recently had close contact (closer than 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) with a person with COVID-19 should avoid using transportation that may put them in close contact with others. They should stay home except to seek medical care.

If you are sick and public transportation is your only option when seeking medical care, wear a mask over your nose and mouth, practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people as much as possible), and practice hand hygiene, including by using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available. For nonemergency medical care, make an appointment ahead of time and, if using public transportation, travel during off-peak hours, if possible.

Bring Adequate Supplies.

Before traveling, pack sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol (in case you are unable to wash your hands at your destination). Bring your mask to wear when social distancing is difficult — for example, while riding on a train or bus, waiting at a rest stop, or riding in a car with people outside your household.

Protect People at Risk for Severe Illness From COVID-19.

Individuals who have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should consider the risks and benefits of nonessential travel.

Guidelines for Public Transit

When you’re using public transit, follow the guidelines listed above, plus …

Stay Up to Date.

Check with local transit authorities for the latest information changes to services and procedures, especially if you might need additional assistance.

Avoid Touching Surfaces.

As much as possible, limit hand contact with frequently touched surfaces, including kiosks, digital interfaces such as touch screens and fingerprint scanners, ticket machines, turnstiles, handrails, restroom surfaces, elevator buttons, and benches. If you must touch these surfaces, wash your hands as soon as you can for 20 seconds with soap and water or rub your hands with sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Use touchless payment and no-touch trash cans and doors when available. Exchange cash or credit cards by placing them in a receipt tray or on the counter rather than from hand to hand, if possible. Some transit services are fare-free during the pandemic. Please check with your local transit agency.

Practice Social Distancing.

When possible, travel during off-peak hours, when there are likely to be fewer people. Follow social distancing guidelines by staying at least 6 feet from people who are not from your household.

For example:

  • Avoid gathering in groups and stay out of crowded spaces when possible, especially at transit stations and stops.
  • Keep a row of empty seats between yourself and other riders, if possible.
  • Enter and exit buses through rear entry doors, if possible.
  • Look for social distancing instructions offered by transit authorities (for example, floor decals or signs indicating where to stand or sit to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others).

Guidelines for Carpools and Vanpools

Follow the guidelines listed above, plus …

Clean and Disinfect Surfaces.

The driver should regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (for example, the steering wheel, gearshift, door frame and handles, windows, radio and temperature dials, and seatbelt buckles).

Practice Social Distancing.

  • Consider limiting the number of passengers in the carpool or vanpool to only those necessary (at this time, we suggest that rides be shared within a few networks, such as among co-workers, or groups such as family).
  • All passengers and the driver should wear face coverings.

Improve Ventilation.

Improve the ventilation in the vehicle if possible (for example, by opening the windows or setting the ventilation or air conditioning on non-recirculation mode).

Finally, check with your vanpool company for its COVID-19 guidance and assistance.

Guidelines for Transit-Related Jobs

Transit operators and other essential employees, see these additional resources on how to protect yourself from COVID-19 at work: