Hernando opens coronavirus information line, cuts hours on TheBus

BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County Emergency Management has established an information phone line to answer citizen questions about COVID-19.

And the county’s public transit system, TheBus, has temporarily cut service hours.

These notices came out after the county Executive Policy Group voted Thursday to renew its local emergency declaration for another week, as required by county rules.

The public information phone line is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m,. Monday through Friday at (352) 540-6233.

Anyone who believes they are suffering from the coronavirus should contact their primary health care provider, officials said. Those who do not have a health care provider should call the Florida Department of Health in Hernando County at (352) 540-6800 and choose option 7.

Beginning on Monday, TheBus will operate fixed routes and demand-response service from approximately 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday service is temporarily suspended. Riders can visit HernandoBus.com to view the new temporary route schedules.

Fare collection is suspended temporarily, as well.

Riders are encouraged to maintain adequate social distancing from each other and from bus drivers. Residents should use public transportation to access only essential services or employment.

Contact the Hernando County Transit Service Administrative Office at (352) 754-4444 for more information. Future service changes will be posted on buses and on the website.

For up-to-date information on county services and changes in how to access them, visit https://www.hernandocounty.us/departments/departments-a-e/emergency-management/emergency-information. For residents of the city of Brooksville, information on city services is available at https://www.cityofbrooksville.us/home/urgent-alerts/covid-19-updates-message-mayor-4620-meeting-cancelled.