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BCCDC finds more flights to Vancouver with COVID-19 exposures

The list of possible exposures continues to grow on flights passing through Vancouver in 2021
flight
The BCCDC regularly provides updates to the flight exposure lists on their website and Twitter feed.

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 Monday, Jan. 25, Vancouver Is Awesome shared six new B.C. flights that were added to the list of COVID-19 public exposures.

Since then, the following eight flights have been added to that same list:

  • Jan.17:Swoop 418, Toronto to Kelowna (Rows affected not reported)
  • Jan.18: Air Canada 115, Toronto to Vancouver (Rows affected 12-14)
  • Jan.19: United Airlines 1641, Denver to Vancouver (Rows affected not reported)
  • Jan. 20: Air Canada 215, Calgary to Vancouver (Rows affected 14-20)
  • Jan. 20: Air Canada/Jazz 8261, Vancouver to Nanaimo (Rows affected 3-9)
  • Jan. 21, Air Canada 127, Toronto to Vancouver (Rows affected 38-44)
  • Jan. 22: Air Canada/Jazz 8081, Vancouver to Victoria (Rows affected 10-16)
  • Jan. 22: Air Canada/Jazz 8245, Terrace to Vancouver (Rows affected 8-14)

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. 

Earlier this 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 flying into Canada will need to have proof of a negative laboratory test result for COVID-19 submitted to the airline prior to boarding their flight. 

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. 

Now is also probably not the best time to escape to a tropical destination, no matter how tempting a holiday might feel. 

While there currently isn't a law against travel outside of Canada during the pandemic, the federal government says you should avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice.  
 

- with files from Elana Shepert