TTC expects shipment of 75,000 masks for employees
The TTC has received 25,000 masks for employees as of Monday, with 75,000 masks expected to arrive over the next three weeks.
On Friday, TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said that the transit commission received the first shipment of multi-use disposable polypropylene masks, which are washable up to three times.
“We have 15,000 now with another 10,000 arriving Monday. Another 75,000 of these masks will be coming over the next three weeks,” Green said.
1/3 We have received the first shipment of multi-use disposable polypropylene masks – washable up to three times. We have 15,000 now with another 10,000 arriving Monday. Another 75,000 of these masks will be coming over the next three weeks. pic.twitter.com/FOiVpH4W2y
— TTCStuart (@TTCStuart) April 17, 2020
According to Green, the masks are being distributed to bus divisions and are intended as an interim measure while the TTC manufactures and distributes reusable cloth masks over the next two to three weeks.
“That work is already underway.”
As the TTC continues to operate during the pandemic, greater protections for staff and riders are needed.
On April 16, 38 bus operators at the TTC’s Queensway and Wilson Division initiated work refusals due to workplace safety concerns.
The same day, the TTC said they would start blocking off seats on vehicles to ensure physical distancing measures.
On April 8, the transit commission began implementing vinyl barriers on its buses to better protect operators during the pandemic.
TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said at the time that the transit system is making and installing 150 barriers a day.
As of Monday, 21 TTC employees have tested positive for coronavirus and 240 are in self-isolation.
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