NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: March 13, 2020

 

Intercity Transit takes precautionary measures against coronavirus
Agency following guidance from federal, state and local public health officials

Olympia, WA – Intercity Transit is closely monitoring the latest developments in the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and is responding to the rapidly evolving situation with measures to protect the health and safety of our customers, employees and community.

These steps follow the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Thurston County, the declaration by the World Health Organization of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, and actions taken by Governor Jay Inslee and the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners to minimize COVID-19 exposure and illness.

Beginning today, March 13, 2020, Intercity Transit will take the following measures:

  1. Close our Administration, Operations and Maintenance building at 526 Pattison Street SE to members of the public.
  2. Cancel or postpone public meetings and gatherings until further notice. This includes the postponement of our Olympia Transit Center expansion celebration that was scheduled for March 19, as well as Transit Authority and Community Advisory Committee meetings.
  3. Suspend Village Vans services until further notice.
  4. Close our Walk N Roll youth education center, located at 215 N. Washington St., until further notice.
  5. Allow teleworking for employees not involved in providing direct service to customers.

These steps do not impact bus, Dial-A-Lift, Vanpool, bus stop maintenance, and customer services. We will continue to provide regular service levels to our community.

To protect our passengers and drivers, Intercity Transit regularly cleans and disinfects our vehicles and facilities with products listed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as effective against COVID-19. We evaluate vehicles if there are reports or concerns expressed about cleanliness, and remove any vehicle from service for thorough cleaning and disinfecting. We have new hospital-grade disinfectants and will implement daily disinfection procedures in all of our vehicles today.

Our top priorities are to continue service and to keep our employees and customers healthy and safe. We appreciate the public working with us to make this possible. We ask our riders to consider limiting non-essential trips and, most importantly, to stay home when sick.

In addition, we ask everyone to take personal health preparedness steps to protect themselves and others by following guidance from the Washington State Department of Health:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
  • Stay at home and away from others if you feel ill.

We encourage people to contact the local health authorities with questions or concerns about coronavirus:  

 

###

For More Information:
Emily Bergkamp
Director of Operations
360-705-5889

 

About Intercity Transit

Intercity Transit serves Washington State’s capital city, Olympia, and neighboring cities Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm. Intercity Transit is a nationally-recognized, small urban transit system with diverse services and strong ridership. In addition to serving the local area for over 38 years, Intercity Transit connects with five area transit systems, including Sound Transit, providing access to Central Puget Sound.