BC Ferries restarts recreational travel after ban on non-essential trips
BC Ferries says it's excited to reopen its vessels to recreational travellers as B.C. transitions into Step 2 of its recovery plan.
Since late April, BC Ferries has been monitoring for non-essential travellers along routes that cross health authority boundaries as per provincial health orders.
But now travel within the province has been OK'd by health officials beginning June 15, as part of Step 2 of B.C.'s recovery plan.
"The end of travel restrictions marks a key milestone in tackling COVID-19 and we are thrilled it means we can welcome everyone back on board," said Mark Collins, BC Ferries president and CEO in a release Monday.
"Our teams are ready to welcome back recreational travellers on all of our routes."
Starting Tuesday, BC Ferries customers will no longer be asked if they are travelling for essential reasons on the following routes:
- Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay
- Tsawwassen – Duke Point
- Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands
- Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay
- Comox – Powell River
- Port Hardy – Prince Rupert
BC Ferries says it will also be increasing the number of sailings it offers during the summer, when demand is expected to be higher.
While more sailings are being added, maximum capacity aboard BC Ferries vessels is still reduced, as required by Transport Canada.
BC Ferries adds that masks are now considered optional at outdoor sections of ferry terminals. Masks are still required in indoor areas of ferry terminals, as well as onboard vessels.
Health officials announced that Step 2 of B.C.'s recovery plan would begin on Tuesday at a live briefing Monday morning. In addition to opening up travel within the province, Step 2 includes restarting organized indoor social gatherings, such as events at dining halls or movie theatres, and allows for outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people.
Indoor worship services can also restart in a limited capacity, and liquor can be served at bars and restaurants until midnight, up from the current 10 p.m. limit.
Further details on Step 2 of the province's reopening plan can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Closing arguments heard in trial for Sask. dad accused of abducting daughter
Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning in the case of Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter in 2021 to keep her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.