Possible coronavirus exposure reported on another Vancouver flight

An additional flight that took off from Vancouver may have exposed its passengers to coronavirus, according to the Government of Canada.

Domestic Air Canada flight, numbered AC224, running from Vancouver to Calgary was flagged as transporting someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

According to the government, rows 15 to 21 may have been impacted.

Government of Canada

Earlier in June, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) identified six other flights at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) that had passengers who had contracted virus. Two additional flights, one domestic and one international have since been confirmed on the Government of Canada website.

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Earlier this year, it was made mandatory that any passenger arriving in British Columbia from outside of Canada self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for two weeks. They were also required to complete and register a self-isolation plan.

The BCCDC says on its website that passengers would no longer be contacted directly if they sat near a confirmed case. Rather, updates are now posted on the BCCDC and Government of Canada website.

“We recommend that flight passengers self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for 14 days following the flight,” says the health authority.

Last week, BC health officials spoke about their concerns surrounding the relaxation of physical distancing measures on airplanes.

Specifically, companies such as WestJet and Air Canada have ended a policy that blocked the purchase of middle seats on aircraft to promote physical distancing.

With files from Vincent Plana.