A worker at the B.C. legislature was on board the same flight as another person who later tested positive for COVID-19, according to a staff letter.
The clerk of the legislature, Kate Lloyd-Ryan, sent the letter to all legislature staff.
The clerk says the person was on a flight from Vancouver to Victoria on July 13, is self-isolating and not showing any symptoms of the virus.
According to the letter, the person left the B.C. legislature on Tuesday but did spend time in the buildings last week and this week, interacting with various individuals.
The clerk wrote she contacted Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, to request advice with this scenario.
The risk of transmission is said to be low due to the short duration of the flight and because airline passengers are required to wear masks.
All of the individual’s colleagues who have had on-site contact with the affected individual at the B.C. legislature since July 13 have already been advised. Each of them will self-monitor for symptoms, but they are not required to remove themselves from the B.C. legislature unless they feel unwell.
Deep cleaning of the B.C. legislature began Tuesday as a precaution.
For transparency and awareness, here is a summary of key steps taken to date. Physical distancing and cleaning protocols were already in place under the Legislative Assembly’s COVID-19 Safety Plan.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has advised anyone on Air Canada flight 8073 from Vancouver to Victoria on July 13 to self-monitor for the onset of symptoms for 14 days after the flight and limit interactions with others.
READ MORE: Island Health says case of COVID-19 at Victoria airport didn’t warrant notification
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