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BCCDC identifies 9 new Vancouver flights for possible COVID-19 exposure

The Government of Canada states that you should avoid all travel outside of the country until further notice due to the novel coronavirus pandemic
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
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Photo: People dragging luggage wearing masks at the airport / Getty Images

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. 

Earlier this week, Vancouver Is Awesome shared seven Vancouver flights that were added to the list of potential COVID-19 public exposures.

Since then, the following eight new flights have been added to the BCCDC's list of affected flights:

  • Dec. 29: Air Canada/Jazz 8238, Vancouver to Terrace (Rows 2 - 8)
  • Dec. 29: Air Canada Flight 103, Toronto to Vancouver (Rows 20 - 23)
  • Dec. 30: WestJet 127, Calgary to Vancouver (Rows 1 - 6)
  • Dec. 30: United Airlines 1641, Denver to Vancouver (Rows not reported)
  • Dec. 31: United Airlines 1641, Denver to Vancouver (Rows not reported)
  • Dec. 31: Air Canada 103, Toronto to Vancouver (Rows 30 - 35)
  • Jan. 1: Air Canada 305, Montreal to Vancouver (Rows 31 - 36)
  • Jan. 2: Air Canada 8625, Winnipeg to Vancouver (Rows 18 - 24)
  • Jan. 2: Lufthansa 492, Frankfurt to Vancouver (Rows 22 - 26) 

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. 

Pre and post-travel considerations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic 

Transport Minister Marc Garneau is expected to unveil more details today on COVID-19 testing requirements for passengers returning to Canada.

Garneau announced last week that air travellers coming from abroad will have to show proof of negative test results, starting this Thursday at 12:01 a.m.

He said the PCR test — distinct from a rapid test, and taking up to several days to process — must occur less than 72 hours before takeoff.

Airlines and passengers say the plan leaves a swirl of unanswered questions and threatens to leave travellers stranded overseas.

Currently, the Government of Canada states that you should avoid all travel outside of the country until further notice due to the novel coronavirus 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.