Photograph of COTA Bus Route Sign Temporarily Closed on Linworth Road

This photograph shows the COTA bus route sign on Linworth Road, south of Snouffer Road, on May 9, 2020. A plastic cover has been placed over the sign stating: "TEMPORARILY CLOSED, For more information, call Customer Care at 614-228-176 or visit COTA.com, COTA." This stop is on the 74 route, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the pandemic, COTA took a number of steps to protect passengers and drivers. Among these steps were:

March 1: Limited number of riders on each bus to 20
March 16: Reduced number of bus routes and consolidated services on some areas
March 19: Suspended fares and instructed riders to board buses from rear doors to keep separate from drivers
April 3: Restricted bus use to customers engaged in essential travel only--for instance to access food, healthcare, to and from work and caring for others
April 8: Began distributing masks to all employees
April 15: Began requiring riders to wear masks

This closed bus stop was one of many indicators of the impact of the pandemic on Worthington and surrounding areas. The city's normally busy streets and public places were quiet during the spring of 2020 due to Ohio's historic stay at home order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Issued by Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton M.D. MPH, the order went into effect on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 11:59 pm. The order closed nonessential businesses, restricted gatherings, ordered all residents to stay in their homes except for certain exempt activities, and limited travel. The order was fully lifted on May 19, replaced by strong recommendations for social distancing.