RIOC Information and Measures for COVID-19

As you are aware, the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has officially been named a pandemic and there is a lot of information making the rounds. Sharing accurate information during a time of heightened concern is one of the best things we can do to keep rumors and misinformation from spreading.

RIOC receives daily updates from Albany and NYC with the most current guidelines and suggestions. RIOC will be vigilant about disseminating where the public can get up to date information and will take every cautionary recommendation provided by New York State officials on how to make Roosevelt Island safer through this pandemic. 

Please read 5 Steps to Prepare for COVID-19, from the NY State Department of Health, which can be found at: health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/prepare.htm. 

For further information, be sure to visit: New York State Department of Health’s COVID-19 Webpage: www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/ or call the DOH Coronavirus Hotline (1-888-364-3065) where the New Yorkers with questions about the virus can speak with public health experts in their preferred language.

In addition, RIOC is taking the following measures:

• Cleaning all offices and RIOC spaces daily- Our Facilities Department and third-party cleaning staff have stepped up their efforts to make sure our public areas are disinfected, using bleach when and where it is safe to use it. We are also distributing Clorox wipes and Lysol Spray to be used at all of our facilities and offices to reduce possible contamination.
• Tram- POMA, the company that runs our tram service, is treating the tram cars and waiting areas with bleach and other disinfectants every eight hours. Includes handrails, cabin poles, hand strips, and floors. The poles and benches are cleaned at the beginning of each rush hour shift, daily. The interior floors and glass walls will be sanitized at least once every 8 hours. The turnstiles and handrails at the stations will be sanitized at least once every 72-hour period by POMA, in addition to MTA’s daily disinfecting protocols, for turnstiles, MetroCard machines, and handrails.
• Buses- disinfecting our Red Buses twice a day. Our staff is focusing their efforts on cleaning the buses, the grab rails, the stanchions, the door handles and the steering wheels.

Please note that RIOC will be sending out public updates as new information becomes available, both posted on our website and via our advisory system. If you are not already, please sign up for RIOC alerts at: member.everbridge.net/453003085611676/login