Second DASH Bus Driver Tests Positive For Coronavirus

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A DASH Bus driver who last worked on Saturday, May 16 has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the Alexandria Transit Company announced Tuesday. This is the second DASH bus driver who tested positive for the virus. The driver is recovering at home.

DASH Bus spokesperson Whitney Code told Patch in an email the driver's route could not be released for privacy reasons. She said the driver had no close contact with riders. DASH has not identified employees that had close contact.

"In early April, we placed barriers on all of our buses to promote physical distancing between our operators and passengers for the safety and wellbeing of both," Code wrote in an email. "The bus has been thoroughly cleaned and fogged."

DASH was notified of another bus driver's positive test result on April 13, and a cleaning contractor who cleans the DASH office notified DASH of the positive result on May 5. The bus driver has since returned to work. DASH did not identify any close contacts of the three cases.

DASH joined other regional bus systems in requiring riders to wear face coverings. The policy is effective as of Monday, May 18. Passengers may be asked to return home to obtain a mask; anyone unable to wear a mask or doesn't have the means to obtain one will be asked to stay as far from other riders as possible.

Other coronavirus-related changes on DASH on have included the suspension of bus fares until further notice, switch to boarding from the rear door, barriers between passenger seating and drivers, blocking seats too close together to maintain physical distance, and personal protective equipment for drivers. Riders with disabilities or strollers can board through the front doors if a ramp is needed.