British Columbia

B.C. Ferries relaxing restrictions for COVID-19; passengers can remain in vehicles

Passengers are being allowed to remain in their vehicles on the enclosed car decks of B.C. Ferries vessels because of COVID-19.

The measure is to allow social distancing

BC Ferries vessel the Spirit of Vancouver Island passes between Galiano Island and Mayne Island while traveling from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, B.C., on Friday Aug. 26, 2011.
Passengers can stay in their vehicles in order to keep their social distance. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

B.C. Ferries says passengers will be allowed to remain in their vehicles on the enclosed car decks of vessels because of COVID-19.

The ferry service says it is relaxing restrictions after Transport Canada and the Canadian Ferry Association agreed to give ferry operators more flexibility to help people keep their social distance.

B.C. Ferries says in a statement that passengers are normally kept off closed car decks to ensure their safety in an emergency.

As a result of the temporary change in policy, the ferry service says it will increase patrols on the car decks of its vessels.

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