With COVID-19 travel restrictions easing on July 1, you may be thinking about taking a flight for the first time since early 2020, so naturally you’re wondering what to expect?
Kamloops Airport Managing Director, Ed Ratuski, says the big thing is to give yourself some extra time to get through security.
“Because there is the physical distancing and you know at airports there’s always queues. That’s where some of the processing times for passenger screening and things might take a little bit longer than normal,” he told NL News. “So guests are going to reminded to come out to the airport a little bit sooner for their flight.”
Other COVID-19 safety protocols will also still be in place including enhanced cleaning and sanitization as well as the mandatory use of face masks and passenger access-only policies – with no indication when those measures will be lifted.
Still, Ratuski is expecting to see a gradual increase in flights and passenger volumes after 16 months of restrictions.
And he notes staff at Kamloops Airport are working to ensure that all of the amenities in the terminal – like the cafe and the car rental kiosks – are available to passengers once again.
“We just want to get the message out there that we are expecting the travel to pick up and we are encouraging that as the health authorities say its safe to do so, and we just want to make sure that we’re absolutely prepared to meet that demand when it does come back,” Ratuski added.
Speaking on the NL Morning News, Dr. Carol Fenton, the Medical Health Officer for Kamloops is also urging people to stay cautious as many communities in Interior Health see a number of travellers from across Canada and British Columbia.
“There is a potential for people to come and spread COVID and that’s why its really really important for everyone in their community and especially those working in the tourism industry to have their vaccine,” Fenton said.
On Friday, Interior Health said it had crossed the 100,000 vaccine mark in Kamloops, with just over 30,000 of those being second doses. As of that same day, there were just under 208,000 people who were fully vaccinated.
“If you know someone who is on the fence about vaccines, talk to them about why vaccination is important for you and for the community,” Fenton added.
Interior Health says anyone over the age of 12 who has not yet been vaccinated can drop-in to any clinic at their convenience. There is also a three-day clinic being held at Aberdeen Mall from July 1 to 3.
“Our clinics have even created options to support people who might be frightened or nervous,” Interior Health president and CEO Susan Brown said. This is a great option for youth, we can make sure their experience is as relaxed and supported as possible.”
As of the latest available data, the vaccine rate for people over the age of 12 in the Kamloops Centre South Community Health Service Area (CHSA) was 78 per cent, while in Kamloops Centre North was at 70 per cent.
