The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) warns airline passengers that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 on a number of recent Vancouver flights.
Yesterday (July 23), Last week, health officials added three additional flights to the lights of affected flights
Now, the BCCDC has identified another flight with possible exposures. On July 15, the Aeromexico flight 696 from Mexico City to Vancouver. On the Government of Canada's website, rows 23 to 29 are specified as the ones affected.
In total, there have been four Aeromexico flights from Mexico City to Vancouver with possible exposures since June 25.
Photo: BCCDCThe B.C. CDC says they list information regarding potential public exposure as they "become aware of flights with an origin or destination in British Columbia with a case of COVID-19 on board."
Any travellers returning to B.C. are encouraged to check the B.C. CDC website for updates about flights with an exposure risk, and those travelling from outside of Canada must arrive prepared with a 14-day self-isolation plan.
The country's two largest airlines ended their on-board seat distancing policies on July 1, raising health concerns amid a pandemic that has devastated the travel industry.
On social media, a few people ask why airlines are permitted to ignore physical distancing protocol while other businesses must adhere to them; others simply say they won't travel with airlines that don't have distancing policies in place.
Currently, the Government of Canada states that you should avoid all travel outside of the country until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a global travel advisory, the government notes that, "This advisory overrides other risk levels on this page, with the exception of any risk levels for countries or regions where we advise to avoid all travel."
- with files from Lindsay William-Ross, Vancouver Is Awesome, and The Canadian Press
