CDTC Reopening Statement 

April 5, 2021 Update - CDTC's office is closed to the public until further notice. Limited staff will be working in the office on Tuesdays, Wendesdays and Thursdays through the month of April. The office will be closed on Mondays and Fridays. When not in the office, staff will continue to work from home and all meetings will continue to be held virtually. If you have any questions, contact us by email and stay tuned for updates.

How is CDTC Adapting?

• All CDTC meetings are being held virtually. Check our Calendar of Events webpage for more information.
• CDTC continues to make progress on its 2020-22 Unified Planning Work Program which includes amendments adopted in March 2021.
• View our Progress Report from April 1, 2020 - September 30, 2020.
• For other news and announcements, visit CDTC's Latest News webpage.
• Recordings of recent CDTC meetings can be found on CDTC's YouTube channel.

NYS COVID-19 Guidance

• Starting April 1, domestic travelers will no longer be required to quarantine after entering New York.
• The new COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard will update New Yorkers on the distribution of the vaccine.
• For the latest NYS Guidance, visit the New York State COVID-19 webpage. 

COVID-19 Mobility Response & Recovery

Open Streets in the Capital Distrcit

• CDTC/CDRPC Open Streets in the Capital District Webinar: Opportunities out of COVID-19 Challenges
• CDTC Open Streets Resources Webpage
• Best Practices & Guidelines for Adapting to Social Distancing (see the NACTO COVID-19 response database of actions taken by cities and transit agencies globally for additional guidance).
• NACTO Streets for Pandemic Response & Recovery Guide
  • Respond rapidly & implement plans to reduce crowding quickly
  • Relieve crowded areas to support public health & social distancing (ex. sidewalks & parks)
    • Resource available in Albany County: Department of Health Complete Streets Lending Library

Transit

• CDTA has returned to normal boarding procedures including front door boarding and fare collection.
• All people onboard any CDTA vehicle or visiting any CDTA-owned facility are required to wear a mask/face covering.
• CDTA's Blue Line River Corridor Bus Rapid Transit System opened for service. 
• Bus route schedules continue to be adjusted as service resumes throughout the system. Learn more on CDTA's Routes and Schedules Webpage.
• CDTA's FLEX On Demand service moved into a payment pilot on October 26, 2020. Fares may be paid through the Navigator smart card or mobile app, $3 per trip or $25 for 10 trips.
• Visit Federal Transit Administration's COVID-19 resource page for more information on the federal response.

Carpooling Best Practices

The CDC has released guidance for rideshare, taxi, limo, and other passenger drivers-for-hire. If you need to or are thinking about using Uber and Lyft, read to learn what precautions your driver should be taking to increase safety.

Carpool groups should discuss and agree on COVID-19 practices that everyone in the group will follow. Best practices include:

• Wear a mask while riding in the car.
• Wash your hands before and after riding in the car.
• Establish consistent carpooling partners as much as possible, rather than frequently changing arrangements.
• Do not carpool for 14 days after exposure to someone with COVID-19, even if you are permitted to work during the incubation period.
• Monitor yourself for symptoms of illness and do not carpool or go to work if you feel unwell.
• Clean the car frequently focusing on touch points such as the door handles, rearview mirror, seatbelt buckles, cup holders, etc.
• Have tissues and hand sanitizer available.
• New research suggests that the best way to protect yourself and encourage proper ventilation is to sit in the backseat on one side of the car with the window closed, and open the other window in the back across from you.

Resources for Local Governments & Businesses in the Capital Region

• New York extended suspension of the in-person meeting requirement of Open Meetings Law through April 25, 2021. 
• New York Conference of Mayors Meetings and Public Hearings guidance.
• New York Association of Towns 
• Cornell Local Roads Program has numerous resources for local government agencies operating and maintaining local roads and bridges. They are also offering regular webinar trainings. 
• Visit the Capital District Regional Planning Commission website for information and resources for COVID-19 initiatives important to our communities, like funding opportunities and guidelines for remote meetings.
• Capital Region Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Information & Resources
• USDOT and Federal Highway Administration resources for state and local highway agencies. 
• The American Planning Association has a variety of COVID-19 resources on planning topics such as public participation and transportation.