Miami-Dade Transit preparations and actions in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As Miami-Dade County continues to monitor the latest information from federal and state health officials regarding the spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) has augmented the following standard operating and communications procedures to safeguard the health of all Miami-Dade Transit riders, employees, and the community:

• The department’s cleaning crews are thoroughly disinfecting all transit vehicles daily with high-grade sanitizers and multi-purpose cleaners. Additionally, cleaning crews are focusing their attention on disinfecting hard surfaces and high-contact areas such as handrails, ticket machines, doors, handles, windows, panels, elevators, and seats.

• Cleaning frequency during service hours has also been increased. All vehicles in service are being sprayed with disinfectant at the end of each run. 

• The department has been offering free hand sanitizer units as an amenity for riders at all Metrorail and Metromover stations for nearly five years. Most recently, the vendor has substantially increased the maintenance of all units to meet the increased usage. We are also working to identify additional locations where new units can be installed. 

• The department is also in the process of procuring hand sanitizer units to be installed inside all transit vehicles.

The department will continue to follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on the most effective preventive measures to ensure the actions we're taking are comprehensive and appropriate.

DTPW is also advising riders and employees to follow the CDC prevention recommendations and visit Miami-Dade County’s website for additional information regarding the prevention of COVID-19.

Transit riders are encouraged to follow these COVID-19 prevention tips: 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol to help prevent the spread of germs.
  
  
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow.
  
  
• Clean, and disinfect frequently, touched objects and surfaces.
  
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  
  
• Stay home when home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  
  
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 

Any individuals in Miami-Dade County who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should call the Miami-Dade Florida Department of Health at 305-324-2400. This should be done prior to traveling to any medical office or facility. The Florida Department of Health has a dedicated call center for COVID-19 questions and concerns. The phone number is 866-779-6121, or you can email [email protected]. 

B-roll of Miami-Dade Transit’s vehicles being disinfected is available here. Photos are available upon request.

For additional information about transit services, visit DTPW’s website.