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BCCDC identifies more cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver flights

The country's two largest airlines stated that they are ending their on-board seat distancing policies starting July 1, raising health concerns amid a pandemic that has devastated the travel industry.
pandemic-flight-feature
Photo: Person wearing face mask on flight / Getty Images

The BC Centre for Disease Control warns airline passengers that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 on a number of recent Vancouver flights.

Only couple of days ago, the Government of Canada warns passengers that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 on several Vancouver flights. Prior to that, the BCCDC listed four new flights over the weekend that recently passed through Vancouver International Airport and carried at least one individual who has since tested positive for COVID-19. 

The following flights have been added to the list of affected flights:

  • July 24: Air Canada AC 311 from Montreal to Vancouver (Row 1-4 and 12-14)
  • July 26: Air Canada AC 007 from Hong Kong to Vancouver (Row 22 - 28)
2020-07-29 International FlightsPhoto: BCCDC

The B.C. CDC says they list information regarding potential public exposure as they "become aware of flights with an origin or destination in British Columbia with a case of COVID-19 on board."

Any travellers returning to B.C. are encouraged to check the B.C. CDC website for updates about flights with an exposure risk, and those travelling from outside of Canada must arrive prepared with a 14-day self-isolation plan.

The country's two largest airlines ended their on-board seat distancing policies on July 1, raising health concerns amid a pandemic that has devastated the travel industry.

On social media, a few people ask why airlines are permitted to ignore physical distancing protocol while other businesses must adhere to them; others simply say they won't travel with airlines that don't have distancing policies in place. 

Currently, the Government of Canada states that you should avoid all travel outside of the country until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a global travel advisory, the government notes that, "This advisory overrides other risk levels on this page, with the exception of any risk levels for countries or regions where we advise to avoid all travel."

With files from The Canadian Press and Lindsay William-Ross.