Passenger refusing to wear mask delays BC Ferries sailing

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A person refusing to wear a face mask caused delays at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal on Saturday, inconveniencing passengers trying to make their way to Victoria.

The person refused to put on a mask as required by the province’s health mandate, prompting police to respond. After an officer from Delta Police arrived, the would-be foot passenger eventually left the terminal “peacefully.”

That’s according to Cris Leykauf with the Delta Police Department, who says the situation caused a 20-minute delay for the 9 a.m. sailing from Vancouver to Victoria.

“The passenger held contrary views to the mask mandate and felt the mandate didn’t apply to them. However, they agreed to leave on their own accord,” Leykauf said.

It’s not the first time police have been called to deal with an issue at a BC Ferries terminal.

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“Periodically, throughout the pandemic, when mask mandates are in place this has happened, and typically the matters are resolved peacefully,” Leykauf added.

Last month, three men were arrested in Swartz Bay, after they allegedly refused to wear masks and antagonized other passengers.

In a statement, BC Ferries reminds passengers that masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces on its vessels and facilities, as per Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s public health orders.

BC Ferries notes that passengers who are abusive or fail to comply with public health orders will be denied service.