Coronavirus Travel Precautions In NJ: Planes, Trains, Buses

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey have launched campaigns to safeguard commuters against the deadly virus known as COVID-19.

This week, both agencies released updates on the precautionary measures they’ve been taking in the wake of the novel coronavirus that’s infected at least 85,000 people globally and killed an estimated 3,000, including nine in the state of Washington.

Despite eight people being tested for the illness in New Jersey and one person being forcibly quarantined, the state hasn't seen a single case of the novel coronavirus, officials have said.

Most New Jersey residents remain at low risk for the coronavirus, the state Department of Health said. And if anyone is having symptoms, the illness is much more likely to be caused by common respiratory viruses such as flu or the common cold, officials said.

That hasn’t stopped many government agencies, schools and even churches from taking steps to protect New Jersey residents, however.

• See related article: NJ Issues Coronavirus Guidelines For Schools, Colleges

Two of the largest transportation agencies in the state – NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – are among those taking action.

At NJ Transit, the agency has been working in cooperation with Gov. Murphy’s coronavirus task force to protect travelers on its trains and buses, officials announced Tuesday.

Here’s what is being done, the agency stated:

• “NJ Transit’s operating units have in place clear protocols and procedures for the cleaning and disinfection of rolling stock, vehicles and public facilities identified.”
• “NJ Transit rail, bus, light rail and Access Link will enhance current cleaning procedures to augment our daily current practices and additional disinfection regimens. Hard surface cleaning and disinfecting typically includes handholds, arm rests, seating areas and restrooms.”
• “NJ Transit has increased the frequency of cleaning regimens for all stations using cleaning agents that are deemed effective for these purposes and contain anti-viral components such as bleach/water mixes and other disinfectant sprays and liquids. Areas regularly cleaned include are doors, door knobs, windows, benches, partitions, trash cans, elevators, escalators, handrails, ledges, all restrooms and floor surfaces and all floor mats.”
• “NJ Transit is closely engaged with the New Jersey Department of Health and other state and federal resources to carefully monitor, and if need be, respond to emergent health concerns that have the ability to impact customers and employees.”

Similar efforts are being taken at the Port Authority’s facilities, according to officials.

“As part of our commitment to the passengers at our facilities, the agency will increase cleanings in response to the coronavirus,” Executive Director Rick Cotton said. “Across our facilities we are utilizing EPA approved, anti-viral cleaning agents to maintain the highest levels of sanitation.”

"Safety and security are the top priority for the Port Authority as we work every day to keep the region moving,” Chairman Kevin O’Toole said. “In consultation with federal and state health authorities the Port Authority is instituting an enhanced cleaning schedule effective immediately.”

AIRPORT: SCREEENINGS, BATHROOMS

Newark Liberty International Airport – the site of New Jersey’s first mandatory quarantine related to the virus – is one of about a dozen across the nation that is authorized to receive flights from China under recently tightened regulations from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• See related article: Feds Funnel Planes From China To Newark Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Although last month’s mandatory quarantine ended with a breath of relief – the traveler was asymptomatic and their 14-day quarantine order is complete – the Port Authority is continuing to ramp up cleaning efforts at Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports, officials said Wednesday.

Here’s what’s being done, officials said:

“At the international arrival areas at the region’s airports, the Port Authority has instructed all terminal operators to intensify cleaning protocols. This effort includes increased cleaning of restrooms using EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed cleaning agents and increased wipe down of frequently touched surfaces including doors, countertops, handrails on stairs and escalators, elevator cabs and buttons, information kiosks, ticket vending machines, ticket counters, seating areas, charging stations, water fountains, etc. The Port Authority has also directed terminal operators to deploy additional hand sanitizer units in the areas around federal inspection facilities.”

While decisions regarding the screening of international passengers arriving to the United States are made by federal agencies, including the CDC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Port Authority workers are lending a hand where they can, officials said.

“As it has since January, the Port Authority is providing all necessary support for the screening currently being carried out by the CDC and CBP of passengers at its airports and any ensuing referrals for quarantine in cooperation with state and city health authorities,” officials said.

PATH PRECAUTIONS

Meanwhile, the Port Authority is also taking steps to safeguard PATH riders, officials said.

“The Port Authority has implemented an enhanced cleaning procedure with an EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed cleaning agent for all PATH cars, stations and the Journal Square Bus Terminal,” officials said.

“In addition to routinely removing stains, soil and surface dirt, cleaners will be disinfecting commonly touched surfaces including seating, doors, handrails, turnstiles, emergency gates, elevators, information kiosks, SmartLink and MetroCard ticket machines,” officials continued.

The Port Authority has also started running public safety announcements in PATH terminals and stations, reminding commuters to wash their hands and stay home when they’re sick.

BUS TERMINALS, STATIONS

At the Port Authority Bus Terminal, George Washington Bridge Bus Station, and the Oculus World Trade Center Transportation Hub, the Port Authority is ramping up the frequency and intensity of all cleaning routines.

“All commonly touched surfaces in the public spaces will be sanitized on a regular basis with an EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed cleaning agent,” the agency stated. “This includes surfaces throughout the facilities such as doors, handrails on stairs and escalators, elevator cabs and buttons, information kiosks, ticket vending machines, ticket counters, seating areas, charging stations and water fountains.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

According to the CDC, the best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Residents who have questions about the virus can contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222. The hotline is home of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, and is staffed 24 hours a day by state health workers.

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