The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) on Saturday is warning airline passengers they could have been exposed to COVID-19 on three flights that flew through the province earlier this month.
The trio of new additions to the BCCDC's COVID-19 public exposures list comes following seven Vancouver flights that had previously been added to the list on Monday, Oct. 13.
The affected flights announced Saturday include:
- October 10: WestJet 182, Kelowna to Calgary (Rows 1-4)
- October 12: Delta 3702, Seattle to Vancouver (Rows not reported)
- October 12: KLM 681, Amsterdam to Vancouver (Rows not reported)
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.
Passengers who travelled on a domestic flight with a confirmed COVID-19 case, meanwhile, are encouraged to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days following their flight.
The country's two largest airlines ended their onboard 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 Elana Shepert
