11 TTC employees have confirmed coronavirus cases, 240 staff in self-isolation

Eleven TTC employees have tested positive for COVID-19, and 240 are in self-isolation, according to the transit commission.

As of April 13, four more TTC employees have tested positive for the virus, since the last report on April 5.

According to the TTC, the four new cases include another bus operator at Mount Dennis, a wheel-trans operator, and a staff member from Station Services and a bus operator from Wilson.

“Like all employers, we continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on our workforce and take all appropriate action to ensure any reported positive cases are handled in conjunction with Toronto Public Health and our own Occupational Health and Safety Department,” the TTC said.

Once the transit system is notified of a positive diagnosis they “immediately” engage with Toronto Public Health to investigate and decide on next steps, including notifying those who may need to take additional steps.

“At every location, we take action to ensure enhanced cleaning measures as recommended by public health officials, such as additional surface cleaning in frequently accessed areas, are undertaken as soon as possible,” the TTC said.

• See also:
  • First two Metrolinx and two more TTC employees test positive for coronavirus
  • TTC installs barriers on buses to protect transit operators
  • 7th TTC employee tests positive for coronavirus

The other seven TTC employees who have tested so far include: a bus mechanic at Duncan Shop; a subway operator at Wilson; a wheel-trans operator; a bus technician at the Old Davenport building; a bus operator at Mt Dennis; a station collector from Danforth Division; and a Streetcar operator from Roncesvalles Division.

During the course of the pandemic, the TTC has been mandating rules to ensure physical distancing for customers and transit workers.

On March 24, the TTC announced it was no longer accepting payment by cash, tickets, or tokens on buses and asked all customers to board and exit using the rear doors when possible to keep operators safe and ensure physical distancing.

On March 31, the transit system encouraged transit users to get on buses off peak hours and on April 1, they announced that they will be adding more buses during peak service hours.

And on April 8, the TTC began implementing vinyl barriers on its buses to better protect operators during the pandemic, installing and making 150 barriers a day.