The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has identified yet more possible exposures to the coronavirus (COVID-19) aboard flights in and out of Vancouver and is warning airline passengers who may have come in contact with the virus.
On March. 15, Vancouver Is Awesome shared 22 Vancouver flights that were added to the list of potential COVID-19 public exposures.
Since then, 23 more flights have been added to the BCCDC's list of affected flights:
- March 5: Air Canada 301, Montreal to Vancouver (Rows affected 34-40)
- March 6: Air Canada 216, Calgary to Vancouver (Rows affected 12-18)
- March 6: Air Canada/Jazz 8209, Vancouver to Prince George (Rows affected 3-9)
- March 7: Swoop 183, Edmonton to Abbotsford (Rows affected 28-32)
- March 7: Air Canada Flight 116, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows affected 25-30)
- March 8: Air Canada/Jazz 8564, Vancouver to Smithers (Rows affected 11-17)
- March 8: Air Canada 306, Vancouver to Montreal (Rows affected 34-40)
- March 9: Air Canada/Jazz 8550, Vancouver to Regina (Rows affected 23-29)
- March 10: Air India 185, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows affected not reported
- March 11: Air Canada 215, Calgary to Vancouver (Rows affected 21-27)
- March 11: Philippines Air Lines 116, Manila to Vancouver (Rows affected 53-59)
- March 12: Air Canada Flight 45, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows affected 18-24 and
- 31-43)
- March 12: Air India Flight 185, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows affected not reported)
- March 12: Air Canada 314, Vancouver to Montreal (Rows affected 26-32)
- March 12: Sunwing Flight 2858, Mexico City to Vancouver (Rows affected 20-26)
- March 14: Air Canada 124, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows affected 24-30)
- March 14: Air Canada 242, Vancouver to Edmonton (Rows affected 24-30)
- March 14: Air Canada 45, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows affected 18-45)
- March 14: Air India 185, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows affected not reported)
- March 15: Air Canada/Jazz 8181, Vancouver to Fort St. John (Rows affected 4-10)
- March 15: WestJet 3307, Fort St. John to Calgary (Rows affected 2-8)
- March 17: Air Canada/Jazz 8182, Fort St. John to Vancouver (Rows affected 6-12)
Things to consider as a Canadian booking travel in 2021
If you're wondering when it will be safe to travel again, you are far from alone.
When it is safe to travel again, there will be several changes to consider. If you've had to fly anywhere recently, you're probably already aware of some of them.
Last month, Transport Minister Marc Garneau issued an Interim Order formalizing the new COVID-19 testing requirements for all air travellers coming into Canada.
Now, everyone entering Canada--by land or air--will need to have proof of a negative laboratory test result for COVID-19.
That said, not all testing facilities are created equal, and you could be denied boarding if you carry a questionable document.
And you could also be fined up to $5,000.
So, before you depart on your next flight, consider the risks involved, and determine if you'll be able to acquire a credible document.
The government also requires entrants to Canada to quarantine in a hotel on arrival. If travellers test negative for COVID-19 after three days, they will be allowed to quarantine at home, albeit under increased surveillance.
- With files from Tyler Orton and Elana Shepert
