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Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together
Buses, Vans and Student Transportation Vehicles
Requirements
Protective strategies for bus transportation should align with the forthcoming tiered
system established by DPH to assist leaders define the decision-making approach
applied to individual school districts.
Where either a vaccine is available or effective treatments for COVID-19 are available, bus
transportation can operate as it did prior to the pandemic, with no restrictions.
Where there is low transmission risk in the community and some restrictions are in place in
schools, buses will be able to operate up to full capacity. LEAs who believe they may need
to operate buses at high capacity levels should prioritize assessing alternative options and
increase monitoring of the mitigating strategies. Passengers will be required to wear a face
mask or cloth face covering that completely covers the nose and mouth during transit. The
passenger’s face covering must be in place prior to boarding the bus and must be kept in
place until they are completely off the bus. Passengers should load into the bus from the
back row to the front (where the first passengers onto the bus sit in the back row) and then
unload the bus in a controlled manner upon arrival at the school from front to back by seat.
This will reduce the number of people passengers walk by as they get on the bus and will
prevent crowding in the center aisle when the bus arrives for unloading.
Passenger density should be significantly reduced when there is moderate spread, because
schools will be employing remote blended learning when in this status. Bus passengers
should be spaced with family members sitting together and non-family members should be
spaced 6 feet apart utilizing alternating diagonal seating. Passengers will be required to
wear a face mask or cloth face covering that completely covers the nose and mouth during
transit. The rider’s face covering must be in place prior to boarding the bus and must be
kept in place until they are completely off the bus. Students should load into the bus from
the back row to the front (where the first passengers onto the bus sit in the back row) and
then unload the bus in a controlled manner upon arrival at the school from front to back by
seat. This will reduce the number of people passengers pass by as they get on the bus and
will prevent crowding in the center aisle when the bus arrives for unloading.
Guidance
• Assess whether a temporary monitor on student transportation at the beginning of
the school year will best facilitate successful compliance with school health policies
as these new protocols are implemented, particularly for younger students.
• Provide back-up masks if students do not have face coverings when boarding the
bus or van.
• Develop clear expectations for drivers and bus monitors related to face coverings
and other safety measures.
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Include a plan for instances where a student is waiting, and illustrate
symptoms associated with COVID-19 that are observable to the bus operator.