BC Ferries is reducing the number of sailings between Vancouver and Victoria for two days due to lower traffic levels.
On Sunday, March 15th, the ferries will not be running from Swartz Bay (Victoria) and Tsawwassen (Vancouver) terminals at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m.
On Monday, March 16th, the 12 p.m. departing from Swartz Bay and the 2 p.m. departing from Tsawwassen terminal are both cancelled.
Passengers with reserved sailings will be accommodated on a later trip wherever possible. Those who decide to cancel their bookings will be issued a full refund.
“Crews have been taking, and will continue to take, extra measures to clean and disinfect all touch points. Touch point cleaning focusses on common areas and locations that are touched frequently by people throughout the day,” reads a notice from BC Ferries.
“They include hard surfaces such as tables, handrails, payment pin pads, door handles, and elevator buttons. We have also stepped up our cleaning protocols in all washroom facilities.”
Furthermore, the company has also closed the Pacific Buffet service, normally available on the Spirit of Vancouver Island, the Spirit of British Columbia and the Coastal Celebration vessels, until further notice to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
In an announcement on Saturday, the B.C. Ministry of Health stated that there are nine new cases of novel coronavirus in the province, bringing the total to 73.
There remains one case of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island – a 63-year-old man who lives in Victoria and recently returned from travelling to Egypt. He is recovering at home in isolation.
 and Tsawwassen (Vancouver) terminals at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m.){kind=link}