The BC Ferries has issued a reminder for all customers to continue avoiding non-essential travel ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel authority has significantly reduced the number of sailings, as well as the capacity of each ship, in an effort to ensure social distancing measures and reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Despite the BC Ferries restoring some sailings this week, the organization is urging customers to avoid travel if it isn’t necessary.
Many communities served by BC Ferries have already issued essential travel advisories including Haida Gwaii, Southern Gulf Islands, Northern Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast.
“For those that need to travel, additional measures have been put in place to keep customers and crew healthy and safe including limiting passenger capacity by 50 per cent to support physical distancing, allowing customers to remain in their vehicles during the sailing and enhanced cleaning,” reads a statement in a press release from the BC Ferries.
Anyone who must use the ferry service over the long weekend is being asked to remain in their vehicle for the duration of the sailing.
In addition to all ships operating at 50 per cent capacity, BC Ferries has also said that all food and retail outlets at terminals and on vessels, including vending machines, will remain closed until further notice.
With the current restrictions in place, the Southern Gulf Islands – Metro Vancouver route will have limited service on the Sunday and holiday Monday, according to the press release.
The company adds that “only customers with bookings and correctly identified passenger numbers are assured they will be accommodated on the sailing.”
Transport Canada suggests riders wear face coverings to cover their mouth and nose during travel if they cannot maintain physical distance.
Meanwhile, the BC Ferries said they will continue to screen all customers for COVID-19 symptoms prior to boarding any vessels on routes longer than 30 minutes. Customers that do not meet the screening requirements will be restricted from travel.
The call on customers to avoid non-essential travel comes a week after the BC Government revealed their plans for the province’s economy to begin reopening.
Graham Cox
