As public health experts urge Oregonians to stay home for the holidays to slow the spread of the coronavirus, TriMet has opted not to provide its customary free rides on New Year’s Eve.
“We’re following the advice of health experts and trying to do our part to diminish the spread of COVID during the holidays,” said Tyler Graf, a spokesperson for Portland’s regional transportation agency.
Fares will be required for all riders. However, Graf said the agency recognizes that not everyone will follow the advice of public health experts. To dissuade intoxicated driving by those who do choose to celebrate the end of 2020 outside of their home, TriMet has extended service times on most MAX lines through 3 a.m. on Jan. 1.
The agency trip’s planner has been updated to reflect the changes.
TriMet announced it will not offer fare free rides for New Year's Eve 2020, in hopes of discouraging large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jonathan Levinson / OPB
With COVID-19 cases remaining high across the country, public health experts are advising Oregonians to avoid the large gatherings that normally accompany this time of year. Instead, experts are encouraging people to keep their celebrations limited to their immediate family and physically distance around anyone who is not part of their household.
For those who do decide to travel, the Oregon Health Authority suggests people drive instead of fly and get tested for COVID-19 before leaving - though, the agency notes, this does not equate to a free pass.
“Some COVID-19 tests produce a high percentage of false negatives, so even if you test negative, follow stringent safety protocols if you travel,” the health authority wrote in its holiday guidance.
Dr. Carlos Crespo, professor at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, said he understands the desire to gather with friends and family, drink, and say good riddance to 2020. But, he said, the way to slow the spread of the virus is to follow social distancing guidelines: wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet away from others and avoid crowds.
“We still don’t have a vaccine that is widely distributed. So our only options that have as we speak is prevention. There’s no cure. There’s no treatment,” Crespo said. “The only tool we have in our tool box today and come Dec. 31 is prevention.”