NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Subway trains will run less frequently this week as the MTA workforce deals with a surge in COVID-19 cases.
“This Monday through Thursday, trains will run less frequently than usual,” the MTA tweeted Sunday.
“Like everyone in New York, we've been affected by the COVID surge,” the tweet continued. “We’re taking proactive steps to provide the best, most consistent service we can. That means you may wait a little longer for your train.”
The MTA said that by reducing service, it’s able to reallocate train crews where they’re needed rather than cancel individual trips. The agency urged subway riders to plan ahead by checking MTA.info to see how often trains are running.
Demetrius Crichlow, New York City Transit’s senior vice president for the subway, said that over the past week there has been a 25% jump in the number of workers calling out sick.
“We’re anticipating that trend will continue, so that’s why these steps were taken,” Crichlow said.
The service reductions are also impacting city buses, with the MTA announcing several cancellations overnight and tweeting, "We're running as much service as we can with the bus operators we have available."
The transit agency said it was also working to implement New York state’s revised quarantine guidelines for essential workers to help with staff shortages.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the new quarantine guidelines for essential workers last week, as the state has seen a record surge in infections from the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Previous guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told people to quarantine for 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
However, Hochul said employers may allow essential workers who’ve had COVID to return to work after five days if they are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. They also must wear a mask when they return.
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