COVID-19 Protocol

First and foremost, our goal is to take the appropriate actions to best preserve public health in this difficult time. Efforts center on doing our best to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, while at the same time appropriately making sure transportation is available to those in our communities who need it the most. 

Tristar is continuing to actively monitor this evolving situation and will continue to do our best to preserve rider, driver, and community health while working to ensure transportation is appropriately available to Tristar riders.

Tristar is also continuously working with all clients (school districts, agencies, TNCs, specialty schools, etc.) to align to their protocols, as necessary.

Guidance and Requirements of Tristar Drivers

• Follow all CDC guidance – updated consistently and found here, as well as state and local Department of Health instructions.
• Drivers are advised to clean and disinfect their vehicle before and after each ride, paying special attention to surfaces that drivers and riders touch frequently. CDC guidance on surface disinfection.
• Per State and CDC Guidelines – drivers must cover their mouth and nose with a face cover when driving for Tristar.
• Follow the updated driver’s daily pre-trip inspection, which includes taking their temperature and self-identifying any symptoms before deciding if they can drive that day.
• Cease driving immediately if they believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19, OR if they have any symptoms whatsoever of any illness.

Guidance and Requirements of Tristar Passengers

We ask your help in doing the best we all can for the health of our community of riders, drivers, and caregivers. 

• All Tristar passengers are required to wear masks per the original July 23, 2020 Ohio Mask Mandate with exceptions. This does include K-12 students with exceptions, which can be found in this updated August 13, 2020 Ohio Department of Health Order. As we receive new student transportation requests for the 20/21 school year, our Customer Service team will review the policy with parents/guardians and determine if their student is able to wear a mask.
• At this time, we will follow social distancing rules and only allow 1 passenger in the vehicle at a time. Student aides, siblings or other members in the same household that are to be included on the route may be permitted.
• We are currently evaluating options for plexiglass barriers in all vehicles, however, at this time, we do not have barriers in place, but will place passenger in furthest seat away from the driver if possible
  • Per CDC recommendation, we will ask drivers not to use air conditioning unless absolutely necessary and encourage opening front windows and fresh air circulation through vents to provide as much fresh air as possible.
• For student transportation, as we contact every parent to confirm transportation for their child, we will be inquiring that no one in their family has recently been in contact or has had COVID-19. Additionally, we request and strongly urge parents to take their child’s temperature first thing in the morning. If their temperature is at or above 100.4 degrees, their child cannot ride and we request that they let our office, or the driver know immediately.
• Most schools will be checking the student’s temperature before they arrive inside. If the student’s temperature is at or above 100.4, the parent will be required to pick up the child. NOT the driver.
• If the passenger or anyone in their household has been exposed to COVID-19, OR if they have any symptoms whatsoever of any illness, they should not ride with Tristar and we ask you to alert our offices immediately. (614-430-1688)

We will continue to update guidance and information as the situation evolves.