Port Authority ramps up cleaning efforts at airports amid coronavirus

Newark plane

A Delta airplane is docked at Newark Airport in New Jersey. (Staten Island Advance/Shira Stoll)Shira Stoll

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Port Authority is ramping up cleaning efforts at the region’s airports and bus stations in response to the ongoing spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

On Wednesday, the agency announced increased facility-wide cleaning and sanitizing protocols developed in consultation with the New York State Department of Health, New Jersey Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“As part of our commitment to the passengers at our facilities, the agency will increase cleanings in response to the coronavirus,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Across our facilities we are utilizing EPA-approved, anti-viral cleaning agents to maintain the highest levels of sanitation.”

At the international arrivals areas of the region’s four airports -- John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty, LaGuardia and New York Stewart International -- all terminal operators have been instructed to intensify cleaning procedures.

This includes increased wipe-downs of frequently touched surfaces, such as doors, countertops, handrails on stairs and escalators, elevator cabs and buttons, information kiosks, ticket vending machines, ticket counters, seating areas, charging stations and water fountains.

Additionally, restrooms will receive increased cleanings using EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed cleaning products. Terminal operators will also deploy additional hand-sanitizing stations near federal inspection areas.

The agency has also increased the frequency and intensity of all cleanings at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, George Washington Bridge Bus Station and the Oculus World Trade Center Transportation Hub. All frequently touched surfaces will be sanitized on a regular basis with EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed cleaning products, similar to the measures being undertaken at the airports.

Enhanced cleaning measures have also been deployed on all PATH cars and stations, as well as at the Journal Square Bus Terminal. Disinfecting will take place on all commonly touched surfaces, including seating, doors, handrails, turnstiles, emergency gates, elevators, information kiosks, SmartLink and MetroCard ticket machines.

Health guidance public service announcements (PSAs) have also been rolled out in terminals and stations throughout the PATH system.

MTA EFFORTS

The MTA’s mass transit divisions -- New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Access-A-Ride, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North -- have significantly ramped up the frequency and intensity of their sanitizing efforts, using EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed disinfectants.

Frequently touched station surfaces like turnstiles, handrails and MetroCard vending machines will be disinfected daily, with the agency’s full fleet of trains, cars and buses undergoing full sanitization every 72 hours.

This includes 472 stations throughout the subway system, 21 stations along Staten Island Railway, 124 stations and terminals along Long Island Rail Road and 101 stations throughout Metro-North’s New York territory, as well as 6,714 New York City Transit subway cars, 64 Staten Island Railway cars, 1,100 Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North’s cars, 5,700 buses and 1,341 dedicated Access-A-Ride vans.

The agency has also rolled out new health guidance PSAs both in stations and on trains and buses. The PSAs will complement existing advisories that have been deployed on 3,600 subway screens, 2,000 bus screens, 550 railroad screens and at 84 subway station street entrances.

Customers are advised to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth, wash their hands often with soap and water, cover their coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue and remain home if they are sick.

“The safety of our customers and employees is our first priority as we continue to monitor the coronavirus,” said Patrick Warren, MTA chief safety officer. “The MTA is enhancing its cleaning regimen across all our operating agencies to ensure the system is safe for everyone. The best defense against COVID-19, according to the National Centers for Disease Control, continues to be good hygiene -- frequent hand washing and self-care.”

STATEN ISLAND FERRY

The Department of Transportation (DOT), responsible for maintaining and operating the Staten Island Ferry, is also stepping up its cleaning efforts in an attempt to curtail the spread of the potentially deadly illness.

The DOT will maintain its around-the-clock cleaning of the St. George and Whitehall ferry terminals, with preparations being made to provide supplemental cleaning on the boats throughout the day, according to the agency.

The DOT says ferryboats will be subject to deep cleanings of all surfaces and touch points at least once every 72 hours, similar to the measures being undertaken by the MTA on the city’s buses and trains.

While not specifically linked to the ferry, DOT employees have been handing out flyers at the Whitehall terminal in recent days to educate travelers on the virus.

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