Image Credit: WestJet

More flights that have carried COVID-19 infected passengers to and from Kelowna International Airport have been reported recently by the BC Centre for Disease Control.

These flights include WestJet flights 3343, from Calgary to Kelowna, April 3, and 3325, from Kelowna to Vancouver, April 6, according to the centre's website.

READ MORE: More COVID-19 cases reported on planes flying to and from Okanagan, Kamloops airports

Yesterday, the Minister of Transport Marc Garneau announced new measures requiring all air passengers to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel. These measures come into effect at 12 p.m. (EDT) on April 20, according to a federal government news release.

When travelling by air, travellers will be asked to cover their mouth and nose:

• at Canadian airport screening checkpoints, where the screeners cannot always keep two metres of separation between themselves and the traveller;
• when they cannot physically distance from others, or as directed by the airline employees; and
• when directed to do so by a public health order or public health official.

"Aviation passengers on all flights departing or arriving at Canadian airports will also be required to demonstrate they have the necessary non-medical mask or face covering during the boarding process otherwise they will not be allowed to continue on their journey. Passengers should follow the current Public Health Agency of Canada’s guidance on face coverings," according to the news release.

READ MORE: Kelowna airport sees dramatic downturn in activity due to COVID-19 regulations

"When travelling by marine modes of transportation, travellers are encouraged to wear non-medical masks or face coverings whenever possible. In addition, operators of ferries and essential passenger vessels will, when feasible: provide public messaging to travellers about the need to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during their journey when they cannot maintain physical distance from others, and that passengers could be subject to denial of boarding should they fail to comply," according to the news release.

"Passengers travelling by rail or motor carrier/bus modes of transportation are also strongly encouraged to wear non-medical masks or face coverings as much as possible. Passengers may be asked by the transportation operator to cover their noses and mouths when physical distancing is not possible." 

Learn more about Kelowna airport's and Kamloops airport's response to COVID-19 through their websites.

To see an updated list of flights that have reported cases of COVID-19, visit the BCCDC’s website.

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