The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) announced Wednesday that under guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health it is strongly recommending that all passengers on its buses and paratransit vans wear masks or some type of face covering to help protect themselves from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The recommendation is in line with one made by Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf last week. Wolf said all Pennsylvanians should remain at home as much as possible, but wear a mask or face covering over their nose and mouth if they must go out during the pandemic.
In a news release, LANTA communications manager Chuck Genna said signs about the new advice are being posted on the authority’s vehicles and social media is also being used to help get the word out.
“The Department of Health strongly recommends the use of masks, bandannas or scarfs to cover one’s nose and mouth when riding transit in Pennsylvania,” said LANTA’s Executive Director, Owen P. O’Neil. “We are doing all we can to inform riders,” he added.
LANTA bus drivers are currently separated from the public by a Plexiglass shield. Drivers have also been issued cloth surgical masks, the news release indicated.
Late last month LANTA reported that a bus driver who operated vehicles on its Bethlehem and Easton routes had tested positive for the coronavirus. The authority released only a limited amount of information about the driver due to privacy laws.
LANTA also announced in March that it was reducing its fares effective March 28 to help reduce the amount of interaction between riders and drivers at fareboxes, to reduce the amount of time people need in order to pay their fare and to reduce the amount of time people spend in line waiting to pay for a ticket.
More information about fares, routes and schedules can be found at LANTABus.com or by calling 610-776-7433.
A man wears a type of protective mask over his nose and mouth. State health officials have asked all residents to wear a mask or some type of face covering such as a bandana or scarf if they go out in public during the coronavirus pandemic.
