BC Ferries terminals are due to become checkpoints to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
On Friday, April 23, the provincial government announced new restrictions on non-essential travel. To support those measures, BC Ferries denies travel to customers who do not have a good reason for traveling between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
Travelers will be asked about the reasons for their travel on 6 ferry routes: Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay, Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen, Duke Point-Tsawwassen, Tsawwassen-southern Gulf Islands, Comox-Powell River, Port Hardy-Prince Rupert.
Even ferry travelers on other routes, that do not cross-regional zones, will be reminded they should be avoiding non-essential travel, the corporation announced in the release.
Mark Collins, BC Ferries president and CEO, said in the release:
“BC Ferries supports doing everything we can to discourage non-essential travel, and this order gives us the legal authority we need to deny travel for non-essential reasons."
BC Ferries will also ask clients making online reservations to specify they are traveling for essential reasons.
No extra voyages are being scheduled over the May long weekend.