Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Amandalina Letterio

COVID-19

Number of YKA travellers expected to rise with new COVID-19 proof of vaccine mandate

Oct 6, 2021 | 4:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Airport manager Ed Ratuski says he doesn’t think asking travellers to provide vaccine verification will have a negative impact on the amount of travellers at YKA.

The statement comes after the prime minister’s announcement on Wednesday morning (Oct. 6) that says all air, rail and marine travellers must provide proof of vaccine before boarding by Oct. 30.

“We’ve been expecting this for quite a while and then when the election was called everything kind of cooled off. So it shouldn’t be a surprise to travellers and the public in general that this was coming,” said Ratuski.

Airport staff will not be responsible for enforcing the new mandate.

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Each individual airline will check for passenger vaccine cards. If there are passengers who disagree with the mandate, the airport will step in.

“If a passenger were to, say, be denied boarding for example. And if there was anything further, we would have to contact law enforcement to step in,” Ratuski explained.

In an email to CFJC News, local travel agency, Vision Travel, says it’s too soon to say how this might effect businesses. But domestic travellers at the airport say it won’t stop them from booking flights.

“I’ve had proof of vaccination, ever since, for the past year. I have to flash my vaccination, okay fine,” said one man, as he arrived in Kamloops from Calgary.

“The individual has certain rights and freedoms under our charter and we have to respect that, but in balance is protecting the rest of the nation and all of the people in Canada,” another man told CFJC News after his flight.

Even with this new mandate, Ratuski anticipates the number of airport travellers will continue to go up.

“We expect our recovery, in terms of passenger levels to keep increasing. No significant negative impacts as a result of this latest requirement,” he said.