The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is warning airline passengers they may have been exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19) on multiple recent Vancouver flights.
On March. 9, Vancouver Is Awesome shared six new Vancouver flights that were added to the list of potential COVID-19 public exposures.
Since then, the following 22 new flights have been added to the BCCDC's list of affected flights:
- Feb 25, WestJet 129, Calgary to Vancouver (Rows unavailable)
- Feb 27: Air Canada 311, Montreal to Vancouver (Rows 24 - 30)
- Feb 28, WestJet 3287, Vancouver to Prince George (Rows 14 - 20)
- Mar 1, Air Canada 106, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows 38 - 44)
- Mar 1, Alaska Airlines 3443, Vancouver to Seattle (Rows 1 - 4)
- Mar 2, Air Canada/Jazz 8550, Vancouver to Regina (Rows 12 - 18)
- Mar 3: Air Canada 45, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows 18 - 29 and 34 - 36)
- Mar 4: Air Canada 123, Toronto to Vancouver (Rows 8 - 11)
- Mar 4 Air Canada 116, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows not reported
- Mar 4 Air Canada 306, Vancouver to Montreal (Rows not reported)
- Mar 4: Air Canada 116, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows not reported)
- Mar 5: Air Canada/Jazz, Vancouver to Winnipeg (Rows 22 - 28)
- Mar 5, WestJet 706, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows 15 - 21)
- Mar 6 Air Canada 103, Toronto to Vancouver (Rows not reported)
- Mar 6, Air Canada 306, Vancouver to Montreal (Rows 24 - 30)
- Mar 7: Air Canada 45, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows 12 - 14, 18 - 30, and 40 - 46)
- Mar 7, Air Canada 306, Vancouver to Montreal (Rows 26 - 30)
- Mar 9 WestJet 706, Vancouver to Toronto (Rows 14 - 20)
- Mar 10: Air Canada 45, Delhi to Vancouver (Rows 26 - 34 and 36 - 46)
- Mar 10: Air Canada 314, Vancouver to Montreal (Rows 31 - 36)
- Mar 10 Japan Airlines 17, Vancouver to Tokyo (Rows 23 - 29)
- Mar 11: Lufthansa Air 492, Frankfurt to Vancouver (Rows 1 - 5)
Any travellers returning to B.C. are encouraged to check the public health agency's website for updates about flights identified for the risk of exposure. Those travelling from outside of Canada, meanwhile, must arrive prepared with a 14-day self-isolation plan.
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
