METRO has received confirmation a METRORail employee and a contract bus operator who works for First Transit have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases to 198 METRO employees and 55 contractors since March 2020.

Eighty-eight of the employees had no contact with the public. METRO tracks and reports all positive cases among its 4200 employees and the various contractors who provide services to METRO. We are also conducting temperature checks of employees and others before they begin their workday at METRO facilities or on our vehicles.

The contract bus operator last worked Oct. 5 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following route:

*The chart above reflects the days the operator was on duty two weeks prior to their last day on the job

The METRORail worker’s last day on the job was Oct. 2 and that employee did not have contact with the public.

Anyone who comes in contact with an individual who tests positive should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, contact your health care provider as soon as you develop any symptoms, and self-isolate to avoid possibly exposing others, including refraining from using public transportation.

METRO is working with public health officials so they can identify and notify anyone who traveled the route driven by the bus operator during those time frames as well as anyone else who may have been impacted by the latest positive cases,

Since mid-March, METRO has sought to minimize the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission by operators or passengers by encouraging social distancing. On March 23, the agency temporarily suspended collecting fares to avoid unnecessary contacts.  Shortly thereafter, orange mesh fencing was installed across the aisles of every local bus to assure appropriate distancing between operators and passengers.

More safety upgrades are also being added to ​buses, trains and METROLift vehicles. Operators and riders will now have access to hand sanitizer while on board and protective shields around drivers’ seats will provide another layer of separation between operators and the public. Operators and riders are required to wear a face covering while on the system.

We appreciate and greatly value our riders. We have taken many actions, including working with the community at large, to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19. To prevent or minimize its transmission on the transit system, METRO asks all riders to use the system only for essential trips at this time,  practice social distancing when you do ride transit (i.e., stand or sit at least 6 feet apart, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, wash your hands for 20 seconds before boarding transit and after deboarding, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your elbow, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and stay home if you are sick). Additionally, riders should stand or sit no closer than six feet behind the driver.

METRO’s number one priority is protecting the health and safety of our customers, community and employees.

Friends, big news. The 20/21 Season announcement will be on October 26. There’s a whole new kind of season coming your way. Something brand new. Facing the greatest threat in our history, we dove into the challenge to create a season that pivots in a major way—digital and live events that will make you smile, your heart grow and bring us together. And it all starts with artists close to home.

But wait, there’s more! Below you’ll find: the first awardees of the inaugural Houston Artist Commissioning Project, stories of SPA in the news, plus an update on our Arts Forward campaign. 

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is leaning on keeping bars closed after Gov. Greg Abbott gave county judges the decision to reopen.

Abbott announced Wednesday afternoon that bars can open up to 50 percent capacity beginning Wednesday, Oct. 14.

There are restrictions, including no standing.

Judge Hidalgo quickly took to Twitter to voice her concerns and said indoor gatherings shouldn’t be taking place.

“This applies to bars as well,” tweeted the judge.

Eyewitness News contacted Hidalgo’s office directly and asked if Harris County bars will be allowed to reopen after the governor’s announcement.

Her office responded saying, “not at this time.”

The Gov. Greg Abbott said the authority will be given to county judges to decide whether to open at all, but if they choose to, the capacity cannot exceed 50 percent.