COVID-19 Update: Updates from the City of Hamilton - Apr. 03, 2020

Bus-stop to bus-stop DARTS service for some HSR customers

HAMILTON, ON – Earlier today, Mayor Fred Eisenberger joined Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health, and the City’s Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Director, Paul Johnson, to update media and the community on the City’s response to COVID-19.

As of noon today, there are 138 confirmed cases and two deaths from COVID-19 in Hamilton. More details about cases are available on the City’s website including demographics, risk factors, exposure, etc.

The public is reminded to stay home as much as possible. If you must go out, please practice physical distancing and maintain 2m or 6ft between yourself and others at all times.

DARTS to provide bus-stop to bus-stop service for HSR customers using wheelchairs, scooters and CNIB cardholders
In response to additional physical distancing measures implemented on HSR buses, beginning tomorrow, Saturday April 4, DARTS will be providing bus-stop to bus-stop service for HSR customers using wheelchairs, scooters and CNIB card holders.

This will allow those traveling with personal mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters, and CNIB cardholders to travel without a companion if they so wish.

Those wishing to use this service are asked to:

1. Call DARTS at 905-529-1717 at least one hour before the desired departure time, or ideally up to two days in advance.
2. Identify themselves as an HSR customer (i.e.: not a registered DARTS client)
3. Provide DARTS with a departure bus stop number and the desired time of pick-up
4. Provide DARTS with a final destination bus stop number (i.e.: exclude usual transfers)
5. Wait at the bus stop for a DARTS vehicle to arrive and provide your name, and show your CNIB card, if applicable, to the DARTS driver before you board.

To book a trip and ensure safety, customers will be screened by DARTS based on the current essential travel, health needs, and confirmation of device type or CNIB card policies in place.

DARTS will book one customer per trip, plus a personal companion, if required. Like HSR, DARTS has additional COVID-19 precautions in place, including increased vehicle cleaning and disinfecting, and application of Aegis microbial shield to the entire fleet.

DARTS has the complete HSR bus stop number listing along with the addresses and will work with customers to book the trip. HSR Bus stop numbers are also available at http://www.hamilton.ca/hsr, we are asking Customers to arrive at their bus stop 10-minutes before their pick-up time.

Customers that book a DARTS ride are asked to honour their reservation so that HSR and DARTS can best meet customer and community needs. DARTS will not be able to pick-up HSR customers at bus stops who have not booked in advance due to the requirement of the screening process.

If travel plans change, customers are asked to call DARTS as soon as possible to cancel or change booked trips in advance to ensure we are not tying up resources.

Additional closures

Today the City closed the Hamilton Waterfront Trail between Confederation Park and the Burlington Lift Bridge. For a full list of closures, visit www.hamilton.ca/covidclosures.

Supports/announcements from other levels of government
Today, the federal government announced an investment of $100 million to improve access to food for Canadians facing social, economic, and health impacts of COVID-19. The funding to national, regional, and local organizations across Canada will help support people and communities experiencing food insecurity.

These organizations including but not limited to Food Banks Canada, Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada will work with partners to meet the urgent food needs of Canadians, including Indigenous peoples and Northern populations. This funding will be used to purchase food and other basic necessities. They will be able to use the funding to buy or rent equipment and other materials to help address the unique needs of the communities they serve and the health-related challenges presented by COVID-19.

Today, the Ontario government released extensive COVID-19 modelling, revealing several scenarios that project the potential number of cases and deaths from the disease. The scenarios underscore the ongoing need to continue practicing physical distancing, restricting our travel, and acting responsibly to minimize the public health risk, stop the spread and reduce the number of fatalities.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations
The City is continuing to accept donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide much-needed resources for the city-wide response to COVID-19. The equipment will be provided to essential service workers. The City is accepting surgical masks, N95 masks, impervious gowns, gloves, face shields, swabs and sanitizer. Requesting these items from local healthcare providers, pest control, hospitality providers, nail salons and construction companies. Homemade equipment will not be accepted. To donate, please email [email protected] or call 905-546-2424 ext. 2257 and make an appointment for drop-off at a location in downtown Hamilton.

Additional Resources

• For regular City of Hamilton COVID-19 updates, please visit www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus and www.hamilton.ca/covidclosures
• Visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]

“The very serious projected impacts by COVID-19 issued by the provincial government reinforces the need to follow recommendations from our health officials. It is imperative we stay home to help stop the spread of this virus. We have closed our parks, playgrounds, sports fields and escarpment steps to keep our community safe. These projections, as serious as they are, are a worst case scenario. We can prove them wrong. All of us remain the first line of defence against the spread of COVID-19 and with everyone’s cooperation, we can help flatten the curve and get through this unprecedented time together.”- Mayor Fred Eisenberger, City of Hamilton

MEDIA CONTACTS:

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jasmine Graham
Senior Communications Officer
City of Hamilton
905-973-2829
[email protected]

Michelle Shantz
Communications and Media Advisor
Office of Mayor Fred Eisenberger
905-546-4225
[email protected]