The City of Victoria has automated 25 pedestrian signals in high-activity areas outside the downtown core to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The change means that pedestrians will no longer have to press a button to activate the light to cross the road, reducing the surfaces that people touch while outside.
The newly automated signals are in areas close to grocery stores, pharmacies, greenways, parks and recreation centres.
All pedestrian signals in the downtown core are already automated.
City staff have installed signs on the buttons to identify which signals have been automated and to let people know there’s no need to touch the button.
The novel coronavirus can be spread through respiratory droplets released in a cough or a sneeze, close and prolonged contact with an infected person — such as touching or shaking hands — and touching something with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
