Some bookings on the Clipper passenger ferry and Coho car ferry have been cancelled in light of the outbreak of COVID-19 and the state of Washington’s declaration of a state of emergency.
The vessels, which carry people and goods between Washington and Victoria daily, have both seen cancelled trips over the past week as reports of virus cases increased in Washington and the state reported nine deaths.
“We have, indeed, seen a decrease in bookings, which started over the weekend compared to our historical spring booking patterns,” said Clipper spokesman Scott Meis.
“We have only had 10 customers as of [Tuesday] change travel plans [citing] the virus concern as the reason for change.”
The Clipper travels between Seattle and Victoria. Until the middle of May, it leaves Seattle at 8 a.m. and arrives in Victoria at 10:45 a.m., then returns to Seattle at 5 p.m. daily.
Black Ball Ferry’s Coho, which, until April 9, leaves Victoria for Port Angeles at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, has only had a few cancellations so far, said president Ryan Burles.
Both ferries have waived change and cancellation fees for passengers, and added more frequent and thorough cleanings.
Burles said the Coho has opted for three “washdowns” daily on the ship and terminal facilities, including greater attention paid to hard surfaces such as tables, handrails, door knobs and door facings.
The protocol is based on guidance from both Canada Border Services and U.S. Customs, he said.
Meis said the Clipper has been trying to stay ahead of travellers’ concerns by monitoring news and taking direction from the Centre for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and border services in Canada and the U.S.
Meis said the company has increased sanitation stations and cleaning rotations at the terminals and onboard, including disinfectant sweeps across the vessel, and encouraged handwashing and sanitation for both employees and passengers.
Though it doesn’t cross international borders, B.C. Ferries has been fielding plenty of questions about COVID-19 from passengers.
Spokeswoman Astrid Chang said as a precaution, crews at terminals and on vessels are taking extra measures to clean all touch points.
“We have standard procedures in place to mitigate the spread of illness on our ferries and at our terminals,” she said, adding the corporation will continue to monitor the situation
Passenger numbers for February have not yet been released, but B.C. Ferries saw a 10% decrease in ridership across the fleet in January.
Passenger traffic on the most popular route, between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, was down 9.4% and vehicle numbers were down 10.1% last month, as virus fears started to spread.
Chang would not speculate on the final February traffic numbers.
At Harbour Air, it has been business as usual for the most part, said president Randy Wright.
So far, the company hasn’t heard of any cancellations, but Wright said the company has stepped up its cleaning regime.
“We do a comprehensive aircraft-grooming program every time a plane comes in at all bases,” he said.
“The aircraft are groomed between each flight and, with the current COVID-19 concerns, we’ve enhanced our cleaning program with more frequent wipedowns of the aircraft and terminal areas.”
At Victoria International Airport, screening procedures remain standard.
Chief executive Geoff Dickson said the airport has had heightened cleaning protocols for some time.
Canada Border Services Agency said it is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 into Canada.
Enhanced screening is in effect at Canada’s 10 major airports, though that does not include Victoria.
