In one week the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) identified nearly 40 possible exposures to the coronavirus (COVID-19) aboard flights in and out of Vancouver.
The public health agency is advising recent flyers to check exposure lists in case they came in contact with the virus.
On March 20, Vancouver Is Awesome shared 23 Vancouver flights that were added to the list of potential COVID-19 public exposures.
Since then, 39 more flights have been added to the BCCDC's list of affected flights:
- March 8: WestJet 720, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows affected not reported)
- March 9: WestJet 139, Calgary to Vancouver (Rows affected not reported)
- March 10: Air Canada/Jazz 8413, Kelowna to Vancouver (Rows affected not reported)
- March 10: WestJet 112, Vancouver to Calgary (Rows affected 15-21)
- March 10: Air Canada 314, Vancouver to Montreal (Rows affected 21- 27 and 31-36)
- March 10: Air Canada 63, Vancouver to Seoul (Rows affected 19-25)
- March 12: WestJet 141, Edmonton to Vancouver (Rows affected 8-14)
- March 12: WestJet 724, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows affected not reported)
- March 12: Air Canada 311, Montreal to Vancouver (Rows affected 28-34)
- March 13: Air Canada 26, Seoul to Vancouver (Rows affected not reported)
- March 13: Air Canada/Jazz 8414, Vancouver to Kelowna (Rows affected 13-19)
- March 14: WestJet 711, Toronto to Vancouver (Rows affected 3-9)
- March 14: Air Canada 106, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows affected 32-38)
- March 14: Air Canada 124, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows affected 24-30 and 38-44)
- March 14: WestJet 164, Vancouver to Edmonton (Rows affected 8-14)
- March 15: Air Canada 225, Calgary to Vancouver (Rows affected 15-21)
- March 15: Air Canada 242, Vancouver to Edmonton (Rows affected 29-35)
- March 16: Air Canada 8245, Terrace to Vancouver (Rows affected 1-7 and 11-20)
- March 16: Swoop 182, Abbotsford to Edmonton (Rows affected 18-24)
- March 17: Air Canada 45, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows affected 18-23)
- March 17: Air India 185, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows affected not reported)
- March 17: Air Canada 63, Vancouver to Seoul (Rows affected not reported)
- March 18: WestJet 711, Vancouver to Kelowna (Rows affected not reported)
- March 18: WestJet 3220, Vancouver to Kelowna (Rows affected 2-5)
- March 18: Air Canada/Jazz 8413, Kelowna to Vancouver (Rows affected 10-16)
- March 18: Air Canada/Jazz 8550, Vancouver to Regina (Rows affected 10-16)
- March 18: Seair Airplanes 352, Vancouver to Nanaimo (Rows affected not reported)
- March 18: WestJet 3375, Calgary to Kelowna (Rows affected 10-16)
- March 19: Air Canada 314, Vancouver to Montreal (Rows affected 28-34)
- March 19: Air Canada 45, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows affected 12-14 and 23-29)
- March 19: WestJet 3231, Calgary to Abbotsford (Rows affected 2-8)
- March 20: Air Canada 116, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows affected 19-25)
- March 20: Air Canada 106, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows affected 55-61)
- March 21: Air Canada 302, Vancouver to Montreal (Rows affected 24-30)
- March 21: Air India 185, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows affected not reported)
- March 21: Flair 8101, Vancouver to Edmonton (Rows affected 23-29 and 31-37)
- March 21: Air Canada 45, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows affected 12-14)
- March 21: Air Canada 551, Los Angeles to Vancouver (Rows affected 1-4)
- March 23: Air Canada 116, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows affected 18-22)
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
