The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) says it will no longer notify travellers of flights with possible coronavirus exposures.
On its website, the BCCDC states that as of Nov. 16, exposure notifications for passenger travel by plane, train, bus or cruise ship will no longer be posted.
While all travellers must be fully vaccinated to travel in Canada, the department notes that anyone who is travelling should monitor their health before, during and after travel — regardless of whether there was a passenger on the plane who tested positive.
If travellers develop symptoms, they must self-isolate and get tested.
Archived flight exposure notifications will be available on the agency's website until the end of November 2021.
The BCCDC has notified travellers returning to B.C. about possible exposures over the course of the pandemic, sharing tweets that linked to its regularly updated page. Travellers were encouraged to check the public health agency's website for updates about flights identified for the risk of exposure.
Flights posted with possible #COVID19 exposures https://t.co/fKQaFw5JjM
— BC Centre for Disease Control (@CDCofBC) November 15, 2021
October 24
WestJet 1771, Phoenix to Vancouver
November 1
Air Canada 1061, Las Vegas to Vancouver
Nomveber 6
Flair 8214, Vancouver to Winnipeg
November 7
Turkish Airlines 75, Istanbul to Vancouver
1/2 pic.twitter.com/wNL7AMZ71Z
Possible coronavirus exposures on flights to Canada
The federal government has stated on its website that it will discontinue domr updated exposure notifications. However, it appears that it also stopped adding new flights to the list.
Currently, the Canadian government advises that "being aware of the exposure risk can help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and those around you."
Passengers who sit in the affected rows near a traveller who tested positive for coronavirus are advised to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days and contact their public health authority for further guidance. Anyone who developed symptoms is required to isolate immediately and contact their public health authority.
On Nov. 22, PHAC noted that "the information listed may not be complete as not all provinces and territories report all of their transportation exposures." Also, information older than 14 days will be removed, to coincide with the isolation period for those who may have been exposed.
On Oct. 29, Canada's vaccine card was made available to B.C. residents looking to travel in Canada and internationally.
Find out how you can get your federal proof of vaccination.
