Union president Ken Wilson says he hopes this isn't the first of many more to come

UPDATE: NSHA Public Health is advising of a potential public exposure to COVID-19 on Halifax Transit buses:

April 3 on Route 10; 5:56 PM to 1:04 AM

April 4 on Route 62; 12:27 PM to 1:33 PM; 4:27 PM to 5:33 PM

April 4 on Route 60; 1:33 PM to 4:27 PM; 5:33 PM to 8:20 PM

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The president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508 says a Halifax Transit driver has tested positive for COVID-19

In a tweet this afternoon Ken Wilson says the union is sending its thoughts and prayers to a bus operator.

Wilson also added he hoped that this was not the first of many more to come.

Halifax Regional Municipality says the driver has not worked since Saturday, April 4.

"Since that time, all workspaces and vehicles, with which the individual was in contact, have already undergone cleanings as part of Halifax Transit’s enhanced protocol," the municipality says in a news release.

"Halifax Transit continues to engage with Public Health regularly to take direction regarding all the necessary steps required to safeguard the health of employees and residents."

Halifax Transit has been designated an essential service by the province.

The information came out shortly before Wednesday's news conference with Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang.

Strang wasn't yet aware of the specific details of this particular case, so he doesn't yet know if the driver was exposed to the virus while doing their job, or in some other way.

However, Strang admitted there are challenges when it comes to transit.

"We have to balance safety on the bus versus the essential need for many in our community to use a bus," he said.

"We have people who need to get to work and not everybody has the luxury of being able to drive or it's short enough that they can walk," Strang added. "There's lots of families, they still need to get groceries and get things from the pharmacy and the only way to do that is through the bus."

Strang said he knows bus drivers are worried about safety and said further passenger limitations could be considered.

"However, what about if your only way to get to work is on the bus and you're always at the end of the line and you don't get on the bus," he said.

Ferries are currently limited to 50 passengers a trip, and buses are only carrying seated passengers. The first 7 to 10 seats immediately behind a bus operator are not available to passengers, which HRM says doesn't impact accessible seating. Fares are waived and those getting on and off a bus are using the rear doors, with the exception of those who need to use the ramp for accessibility.

On Monday Wilson told NEWS 95.7 he wanted to see the municipality bring even tougher restrictions to transit, including limiting the number of people on a 40-foot bus to 10, to 15 passengers on a 60-foot bus, and a maximum 20 people on a ferry.

Wilson said that would ensure better physical distancing.

With files from Dan Ahlstrand