Ferry passengers will be able to purchase food and beverages again on some routes as B.C. Ferries gradually opens up services closed because of the pandemic.
Limited food options will be available on certain routes between 91原创 Island, Metro 91原创 and the Sunshine Coast, the agency said Thursday.
All food services, including vending machines, were shut down this spring to reduce the spread of COVID-19.聽
Hot-food services are now on offer on the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route, the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay route and the Horseshoe Bay-Langdale run.
The menu will be restricted to burgers, chicken strips, fries, hand-held breakfast sandwiches, hot oatmeal, cold cereal, packaged salads, yogurt, fruit cups, packaged pastries, coffee and tea and other beverages.
鈥淎ll hot food will be served in packaging for customers to take to their vehicles, outer deck or limited cafeteria seating,鈥� B.C. Ferries said in a statement.
Physical-distancing will be maintained in food-service areas.
B.C. Ferries is running with limited services on its routes and with fewer passengers, and recommends passengers check its website for potential service changes.
Passengers are required to bring a mask in case they cannot meet required physical-distancing rules on deck, and are allowed to stay in their vehicles while on board.
Meanwhile, B.C. Ferries鈥� new hybrid-electric Island Aurora started service on Thursday at 9:35 a.m. on the Port McNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula route.聽
The Aurora鈥檚 sister vessel, the Island Discovery, went into service last week on the Texada Island-Powell River run. The project cost for the two vessels was $86.5 million, with the federal government contributing $28聽million.
Each vessel can carry up to 47 vehicles and between 300 and 450 passengers and crew. Four more Island-class ferries are on order.
The Aurora and Discovery both have overhead sundecks with seating, windbreaks and an accessible washroom.
The Island Aurora is replacing the 51-year-old Quadra Queen II, which will become a relief vessel for the service.聽
The Island Discovery replaces the North Island Princess, which is to be retired.
In February, a naming ceremony was held for the Aurora and Discovery at Point Hope Maritime in Vic West.
Because of the pandemic, B.C. Ferries had to cancel a planned public open house for the Aurora. Instead people can watch a video with messages from community representatives.
