(Nassau County, NY) – Nassau County Executive Laura Curran joined with NICE Bus Chief Executive Officer Jack Khzouz and Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby to discuss public transportation protocol the County is enforcing to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus as well as simple steps riders can take to protect themselves from the virus.
“Nassau County continues to be on the frontlines of the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak. Working with our public transportation partner NICE bus is vital to containing the spread of COVID-19,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “We will continue to update protocols as needed to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of NICE riders and employees.”
NICE Bus has been instituting new protocol regarding public health and is working to do all they can to protect the wellbeing of their riders and employees. NICE bus now has enhanced daily cleaning procedures, including disinfecting all stations and vehicles every 24 hours. Every vehicle, 285 buses and 100 paratransit vehicles, are being sanitized every night with a focus on high-touch areas. High-touch areas include poles, handrails, seats, benches and grab bars on vehicles. NICE Bus is also installing public service messages regarding personal health and wellbeing in all vehicles and transit centers. The Rosa Parks Hempstead Transit Center and other NICE transit hubs are installing touchless hand sanitizers and cleaning surfaces multiple times a day.
“NICE Bus is committed to the health, safety, and wellbeing of riders and employees. We are continually in contact with Nassau County and New York State to follow their guidelines in response to health alerts. NICE Bus has enhanced our daily cleaning procedures, including disinfecting all high-touch surfaces every evening (every 24 hours) and installed health alerts on our vehicles,” said NICE CEO Jack Khzouz.
"Our top priority is to ensure the safety of the thousands of Long Islanders who utilize public transit every day. Administration officials, state agencies, and local departments have been working in a coordinated effort to protect employees and riders and ensure that our County’s public transit systems remain safe to use. I commend County Executive Laura Curran for taking swift action to protect Long Island’s commuters," said New York State Senator Kevin Thomas.
“Many residents of Nassau County use the NICE bus service daily as a means for transportation. I encourage everyone to follow the new Public Transit Protocol Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and NICE Bus CEO Jack Khzouz have put in place to keep passengers safe from the spread of COVID-19. Together we can work to keep each other safe,” said New York State Assemblywoman Taylor Darling.
County Executive Curran is also asking riders to take an extra step to prevent the spread of germs:
- Use hand sanitizer stations available at NICE transit hubs.
- Wash your hands with soap and water when available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Consider an elbow bump, wave or a smile when greeting people.
- Spread out — a cough or sneeze can spread germs far distances so try to not sit directly next to someone when possible.
- Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing.
- If you feel sick, stay home.
- Call (don’t visit) your health care provider if you think you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
For additional updates on COVID-19, please visit www.nassaucountyny.gov and click on the Coronavirus banner.
