DETROIT – Starting immediately, SMART is requiring all riders to wear face masks.
On Monday SMART will eliminate many late night trips on its schedules. Sunday service has been reduced to operate every 60-90 minutes.
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The adjustments are part of an effort to ensure essential trips to work and other life-sustaining activities.
Riders should check www.smartbus.org to verify the trips which have been affected and the new schedule lookup for the following routes:
- 125 Fort Street
- 200 Michigan
- 261 FAST Michigan
- 280 Middlebelt
- 330 Grand River
- 415 Greenfield
- 450/460 Woodward Avenue
- 461/462 FAST Woodward Avenue
- 495 John R
- 510 Van Dyke
- 560 Gratiot
- 561/563 FAST Gratiot
- 610 Kercheval
- 710 Nine Mile
- 730 Ten Mile
- 760 Thirteen/Fourteen Mile
SMART has seen an approximate 80 percent reduction in ridership since mid-March. Currently there is low to no ridership on the late-night routes.
”Our reduced ridership has held steady over these past few weeks, even after two service reductions and several weeks of the Stay Home, Stay Safe order,” said Robert Cramer, Deputy General Manager, “The vast majority of these remaining riders are headed to and from essential jobs or on trips for life-sustaining supplies, medication and treatments. Our mission for the coming weeks is to keep a reliable option for those trips in place while reminding riders to follow social distancing guidelines and wear appropriate face coverings. Working closely with our drivers, we are eliminating late night service and scaling back Sunday service while increasing drivers and buses available to fill in on daytime routes that are still seeing significant ridership.”
MORE: Researchers find ways to make homemade face masks more effective
How COVID-19 Spreads
Person-to-person spread
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Can someone spread the virus without being sick?
- Spread is possible before people show symptoms. People who are not showing symptoms can still be carrying the virus and can still pass it on to other people.
Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
How easily the virus spreads
How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.
Prevention & Treatment
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Click here for more guidelines from the CDC.
People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Question about coronavirus? Ask Dr. McGeorge here.