Some WestJet Passengers Are Being Told To Self-Monitor After A Possible COVID-19 Outbreak

Case numbers may be dropping in Canada, but we shouldn't let our guard down just yet. Passengers aboard a WestJet flight from Toronto to Halifax are being told to look out for symptoms, after it was revealed they might’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Passengers were on the plane for approximately two hours.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) is asking anyone aboard flight WS 248 on Friday, June 26, to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.

According to the NSHA, passengers who were sitting in rows 16 through 21 and seats A to C are "more likely to have had close contact" with the disease.

That said, anyone aboard the flight could have been exposed to COVID-19, and those concerned should call 811. The health agency advises that it could take up to two weeks for any symptoms to develop.

This would be up to, and including, July 10.

Passengers experiencing any of the following should call 811; Cough, sore throat, headache, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sneezing, runny nose, diarrhea and more.

The notice also urges passengers to look out for "red, purple or blueish lesions, on the feet, toes or fingers without a clear cause."

The possibility of new COVID-19 cases is bad news for Nova Scotia. According to CBC, the province confirmed their first new case in three weeks on Tuesday, June 30.

A second new case was confirmed on Wednesday, July 1. Both are believed to be travel-related.

"I hope everyone is able to have a safe and relaxing Canada Day, but that you keep your guard up," said Dr. Robert Strang, the chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia.

“I ask everyone to continue to practise good hand washing, maintain a physical distance when and where required and wear a non-medical mask when physical distancing is difficult,” he added.

Over the last week, both WestJet and Air Canada confirmed that they’d no longer be offering physically-distanced seating on their flights. 

Initially, both airlines had promised to block all adjacent seats, in order to help passengers practice safe social distancing.

However, they’re now reverting back to pre-COVID-19 seating arrangements, but are offering passengers the ability to change flights for free if they’re uncomfortable with the new policy.