For Immediate Release
20-045
August 31, 2020

BC Ferries offers travel tips for the Labour Day long weekend

Wear a face covering, practice physical distancing, and stay in your vehicle if possible

VICTORIA – With the easing of travel restrictions and British Columbians travelling more, BC Ferries has some tips for customers planning to take the ferry this Labour Day long weekend and explore British Columbia safely and responsibly.

Travel tips:

• Booking in advance is strongly recommended to guarantee the sailing of your choice. Customers without a booking can expect to experience sailing waits. For customers with a flexible schedule consider travelling at less busy times to help spread traffic more evenly throughout the day and provide a shorter wait time. From Sept. 3 – Sept. 7, less busy times are:
  1. For the Horseshoe Bay – Langdale route, the 9:25 pm and 11:30 pm sailings departing Horseshoe Bay, and the 6:20 am, 8:15 pm, and 10:30 pm departing Langdale.
      
  2. For the Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay route, the 6:25 am and 10:40 pm departing Horseshoe Bay, and the 6:25 am, 8:30 pm, and 10:40 pm departing Departure Bay.
      
• The most popular travel times are generally Thursday and Friday afternoon, as well as Saturday morning, with lots of travellers departing from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals. Historically, the Sunday and Labour Day Monday are popular times for people to return from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast via Langdale, Departure Bay, Duke Point and Swartz Bay terminals.
   
• Please arrive at least an hour before your sailing. Transport Canada COVID-19 screening is in effect and can take a little longer at check-in. BC Ferries expects sailings may reach passenger capacity. Foot passengers should also arrive at least an hour in advance to improve their chances of making the sailing time of their choice.
   
• As of August 24, BC Ferries requires customers to wear non-medical masks or face coverings at terminals and while on board ferries. All walk-on and vehicle passengers are required to wear face coverings at all times when at a BC Ferries terminal or on a BC Ferries ship, with the exception being if a customer is inside a vehicle or consuming food or drinks while maintaining physical distance. Also exempt are customers with an underlying medical condition or disability that inhibits the ability to wear a face covering, those who are unable to place or remove a face covering without assistance, and children under two years of age.
   
• “Grab and go” limited hot food and items on select vessels and routes and take them back to your vehicle if possible as there is limited seating in the cafeteria.
   
• Visit bcferries.com for resources that explain the new measures and procedures in place at terminals and on board ferries to keep our customers and crew safe.

BC Ferries continues to request responsible behaviour while on board, including remaining in your vehicle for the duration of the trip, wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distance from other passengers while seated and moving around the vessel.

High traffic volumes can be stressful for both customers and employees. As a reminder, BC Ferries does not tolerate any abuse, including verbal abuse, towards its employees. Please remember employees are doing their best to meet everyone’s needs. BC Ferries takes this matter seriously, and a customer who abuses an employee, including verbal abuse, will be denied service. BC Ferries reminds customers to continue to heed Dr. Bonnie Henry’s sage advice: to be kind, be calm and be safe. Vessel and terminal staff are working hard to adjust to changing circumstances and to implement protocols and procedures that keep everyone safe and healthy.

For full schedule information, current conditions and reservations, please visit bcferries.com. For the most up-to-date travel information, follow @BCFerries on Twitter. Media Contact:
BC Ferries, Media Relations
Victoria: (250) 978-1267

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