Ottawa extends cruise ship ban in Canadian waters till Oct. 31

By John Chunn

Law360 Canada (May 29, 2020, 12:12 PM EDT) -- Minister of Transport Marc Garneau on May 29 announced updated measures pertaining to cruise ships and passenger vessels in Canadian waters amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Transport Canada’s press release, cruise ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until Oct. 31, 2020.

As of July 1, 2020, all other passenger vessels must follow provincial, territorial, local and regional health authority requirements for timelines and processes to resume operations.

Passenger vessels with the capacity to carry more than 12 persons continue to be prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters (including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and the Labrador Coast) until Oct. 31, 2020.

The press release adds that beginning July 1, 2020, passenger vessels will be allowed to operate in inland rivers and lakes in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.

It says essential passenger vessels, such as ferries and water taxis, should continue to operate using mitigation measures. These could include reducing the number of passengers or using alternative practices such as keeping people in their vehicles, when safe to do so, or enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.