Subways to Run Less Frequently until Thursday: So Many Transit Workers out Sick

By Yehudit Garmaise

The New York City subways will run less frequently today through Thursday because so many transit workers are out sick with COVID, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced yesterday.

"Like everyone in New York, we've been affected by the COVID surge," New York City Transit tweeted. "We’re taking proactive steps to provide the best, most consistent service we can. That means you may wait a little longer for your train."

To ease staffing shortages in hospitals, grocery stores, and other essential workplaces, on Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul shortened, from 10 to five days, the time that essential workers who test positive for COVID must quarantine: provided the workers are fully vaccinated and their symptoms are completely resolved.

The MTA, which did not report how many transit workers were out sick due to the quickly-spreading Omicron variant, said it was working to implement the new, shorter quarantine rules.

"We're taking these proactive steps to provide the best possible service this week and keep our employees safe," New York City Transit added in a tweet.