After restrictions were implemented on ferry sailings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, B.C. Ferries says it is increasing passenger capacity due to demand.
The onset of coronavirus saw 50 per cent passenger capacity on sailings to adhere to interim Transport Canada regulations, along with enhanced cleaning and safe distancing requirements, with traffic seeing a significant drop, according to Tessa Humphries, B.C. Ferries spokesperson.
鈥淎s B.C. has opened up and we鈥檝e moved into Phase 3, and after we carefully examined the business and implemented many new alternative practices, such as requiring customers to wear a face covering, we鈥檙e starting to phase out the 50 per cent capacity limitation and we鈥檝e consulted with Transport Canada about this and advised the additional measures that we鈥檝e implemented鈥� so by phasing out the 50 per cent it [cap] immediately adds significantly more capacity to each sailing,鈥� Humphries told Black Press Media.
In the case of sailings from Departure Bay and Duke Point terminals in the Nanaimo area to the Lower Mainland, Humphries said B.C. Ferries has been able to increase capacity to 70 per cent and it is 鈥渃ertainly moving back鈥� to that for the majority of its sailings and gradually re-introducing service as carefully and safely as it possibly can.
Passengers are asked whether they have face coverings during screening, but Humphries said B.C. Ferries doesn鈥檛 currently have plans to provide masks.
鈥淎t this time we鈥檙e monitoring the situation 鈥� the additional measures, we鈥檙e constantly reviewing them and seeing what we can do to assist with customers,鈥� said Humphries.
鈥淎t this point in time, we are doing our best to let customers know in advance the requirement for the face covering and it can also be something like a bandana that is securely tied and fastened around a customers face.鈥�
Other safety measures include allowing passengers to remain in vehicles during sailings and Plexiglas barriers, said Humphries.
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