The BC Centre for Disease Control warns airline passengers that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 on several recent Vancouver flights.
Yesterday, the BCCDC identified seven additional flights for possible exposure to the virus.
Now, The following international flights have been added to the list of affected flights:
- July 20: Delta, Flight 4523, Seattle to Vancouver
- July 28: Air Canada Flight # 855 / Lufthansa LH6812, London to Vancouver (Rows12-14 and 8)
- July 29: Delta, Flight 3898, Seattle to Vancouver
- July 29: Aeromexico Flight 696, Mexico City to Vancouver Rows (19-27)
The BCCDC 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.
