For Immediate Release
May 14, 2020

Passengers on Fairfax Connector buses will be required to wear face coverings, a measure the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will make effective starting Monday, May 18, 2020, with a weeklong grace period through Monday, May 25, 2020. County officials previously encouraged riders to wear face coverings, but that will now become mandatory. This enhanced safety measure aims to help Fairfax Connector passengers protect each other and bus operators during the ongoing COVID-19 situation and follows guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A face covering can be a homemade cloth mask, a scarf, bandana or other means of snug covering over the mouth and nose. Tips for making homemade coverings and safe usage can be found at the CDC website.

Fairfax County is committed to providing transit service to residents who have no alternate way to travel during this situation. FCDOT officials would like to thank all Fairfax Connector customers for their patience, cooperation and flexibility during this difficult time.

Ways Fairfax Connector Maintains a Safe and Healthy Environment

1. Fairfax Connector passengers will continue to be required to enter and exit the bus using the rear doors. This does not apply to customer­­s who need to use a wheelchair ramp. Fare collection on buses also continues to be suspended, due to the location of fareboxes and SmarTrip equipment at the front entrance of buses. 

2. Fairfax Connector operations contractor continues the following steps to maintain a safe and healthy environment for Fairfax Connector passengers and personnel:

• Review and update cleaning protocols based on guidance from public health officials.
• Increase vehicle cleaning cycles with a special focus on bus interiors and critical touchpoints such as door handles, handrails and other surfaces. These cleanings will incorporate disinfection procedures indicated to be effective against COVID-19.
• Initiate regular communication with Fairfax Connector workforce to keep employees informed about the virus and provide guidance to prevent the spread of illness.

3. Fairfax Connector passengers are reminded that the most effective way to prevent the spread of illnesses is to follow the recommendations from public health officials below:

• If you are not feeling well or have symptoms of illness, please stay home and avoid taking public transportation. Fairfax County health officials offer steps to take at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus.
• Wear cloth face coverings that cover your nose and mouth to help prevent the spread of germs to others
• Practice social distancing while on the bus by staying 6 feet away from others, if possible.
• Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.

Ways to Stay Informed About COVID-19

• Call the Health Department Call Center at 703-267-3511 with Coronavirus questions; open 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
• Text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from Fairfax County about COVID-19; text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish.

• Email questions or concerns to ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This email account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 6 p.m.

• Visit the county’s coronavirus web portal (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19) for information; it serves as a one-stop online resource for information.
• Learn more about COVID-19 on the Health Department Coronavirus (COVID-19) Webpage (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus) or FAQ page (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/faq).
• Follow the Fairfax County Government Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/fairfaxcounty) and Health Department Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/fairfaxcountyhealth).
• Follow @fairfaxcounty and @fairfaxhealth on Twitter.  

 For More Information About Fairfax Connector

• Sign-up for email or text updates for Fairfax Connector operating status via Fairfax Alerts by selecting “Fairfax Connector Information”.
• To receive notifications for your bus route, sign up for BusTracker email or text alerts.
• Visit www.fairfaxconnector.com to stay informed with the latest news and information.
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
• Contact us at Fairfaxconnector@fairfaxcounty.gov

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