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For Immediate Release
20-013
March 17, 2020

BC Ferries to allow passengers on closed car decks temporarily

VICTORIA – Starting today, BC Ferries will allow customers to remain in their vehicles on the enclosed car deck during the COVID-19 situation, to help support social distancing and self-isolation.

The decision is the result of collaboration between Transport Canada and the Canadian Ferry Association to provide ferry operators with important flexibility to help protect passengers and their families from COVID-19 related risks, while also ensuring additional measures are taken to ensure passenger safety.

“BC Ferries, the Province, and the Federal Government are doing everything they can to help prevent the spread of this illness,” said Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President & CEO. “At BC Ferries, we proactively took measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including increasing cleaning on board and at our terminals, closing the Pacific Buffet, as well as posting signage encouraging customers to practice good hand washing and social distancing.”

The purpose of keeping passengers off closed car decks is to ensure their safety in the case of an emergency. Safety is the top priority for BC Ferries, and the company is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for our customers and employees. During this temporary period, BC Ferries will increase patrols on the enclosed car deck to ensure safety in the rare event of an emergency. Passengers will not be allowed on closed car decks once the COVID-19 situation ends.

As this situation is rapidly evolving, BC Ferries encourages customers to monitor the website for any changes to service. For full details on service changes and the measures BC Ferries is taking in response to COVID-19, visit bcferries.com.
 
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Media Contact:
BC Ferries, Media Relations
Victoria: (250) 978-1267
Fax (250) 978-1119 bcferries.com/bcfnews/
Note to newsrooms: For urgent media inquiries off-hours, call our emergency pager at (250) 516-7211.

Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 386-3431
Toll-free: 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779)
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