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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.