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On Wednesday, Transport Canada has announced that as of September 30th, 2020, they are ending the temporary exception allowing passengers to remain in their vehicles on the enclosed lower decks vessels of BC Ferries vessels. The rule was relaxed back in March so passengers could isolate in their cars and trucks while traveling on the ferry service during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Transport Canada requires all passengers to leave their vehicles if parked on the enclosed lower decks of any ship; vehicles parked on the open upper decks were permitted to remain inside. BC Ferries began enforcing this rule in October 2017.
This change affects travel on the following routes:
- Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay
- Tsawwassen – Duke Point
- Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands
- Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay
- Powell River – Comox
However, the Horseshoe Bay – Langdale route is not impacted; Transport Canada granted the ferry company an exemption for passengers to remain inside their vehicles on the lower deck.
In response to this change, BC Ferries is opening additional areas for seating, including the Pacific Buffet on the MV Spirit of British Columbia and MV Spirit of Vancouver Island to permit more distancing between passengers. Physical distancing and face coverings are mandatory onboard all BC Ferries ships and in terminals.
Passengers are still able to remain in their vehicles parked on the open upper decks.
Source: BC Ferries
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