CDC ADJUSTS GUIDANCE FOR COMMUTERS
Date postedJune 2, 2020
As a result of feedback received from ACT and other transportation groups and transit agencies, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued updated guidance for employers to support employees commuting to work, replacing the CDC's initial guidance recommending employers promote driving alone to work.
The new language now states:
For employees who commute to work using public transportation or ride sharing, consider offering the following support:
- If feasible, offer employees incentives to use forms of transportation that minimize close contact with others (e.g., biking, walking, driving or riding by car either alone or with household members).
- Ask employees to follow the CDC guidance on how to protect yourself when using transportation.
- Allow employees to shift their hours so they can commute during less busy times.
- Ask employees to clean their hands as soon as possible after their trip.
We appreciate the CDC's recognition of options beyond driving alone to work, but believe that all commuting modes will be necessary to ensure all employees are able to return to their worksites during the pandemic. ACT encourages all service providers, employers, and commuters to invest in appropriate measures and focus on communication to ensure that transit, shuttles, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, and walking are safe and reliable. ACT will continue to advocate for support of these vital options.
ACT’s recent report, Supporting Commuters Returning to Worksites During COVID-19, provides recommended practices for managing different commute modes while continuing to support the health and safety of commuters during the coronavirus pandemic. These recommendations include simple actions like limiting occupancy in vehicles, reserving seats, shifting work hours, being flexible, and most importantly cleaning that transportation providers, employers, and commuters can utilize to the safe use of carpooling, vanpooling, public transit, private shuttles, and telecommuting.
This publication is publicly available and sharing this resource is fully encouraged by ACT.
