Galo Baird | [email protected]
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) reported that an employee recently tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a party with several co-workers on Saturday.
The party was private, CATS said in a statement, and was not work related. Twelve CATS employees attended, according to the statement, including the employee who tested positive. All have been placed in mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Due to staff shortages, the LYNX Blue Line will temporarily switch to a Sunday service schedule beginning Wednesday, December 16, through December 31.
While employees are not customer-facing, CATS said, they are critical to the safe operation of the rail system.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, CATS has provided a safe and uninterrupted transit service. This is due to the hard work and sacrifices of our staff, ”said CATS CEO John Lewis.
“I am incredibly disappointed in the judgment of these employees. Your actions will temporarily affect the levels of service that we can provide to our community. I ask all CATS employees, passengers, and community members to take this virus seriously, “he added.
CATS will continue to apply strict cleaning protocols in vehicles and facilities. The protocols include the use of hospital grade disinfectant on all hard surfaces, as well as cleaning of in-service vehicles.
Authorities say face masks are also required when traveling in transit. The masks are available for free at the Transportation Center customer service kiosk in downtown Charlotte.
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