New summer schedules for some provincial ferry routes will begin on Wednesday, July 1.
New schedules will be implemented for the following routes:
- Fogo Island-Change Islands-Farewell
- Strait of Belle Isle
- Brendan’s-Burnside
- Ramea-Grey River-Burgeo
- La Poile-Rose Blanche
- Gaultois-McCallum-Hermitage
- Rencontre East-Bay L’Argent-Pool’s Cove
- South East Bight-Petite Forte
The schedule is also being adjusted for the Portugal Cove-Bell Island ferry run as the province has moved to Alert Level 2.
The schedules were developed based on input from ferry user committees in anticipation of an increase in passengers during the summer months on some routes and more residents travelling within the province.
The Department of Transportation and Works is continuing to monitor the number of passengers travelling on each ferry route. Ferry services will be regularly reviewed to ensure the schedules match the demand of the service.
Ferry schedules, daily service updates, contact information, and more information on each ferry route is available online.
Updates on ferry schedules are also available on nl511.ca and the NL 511 mobile app.
The department continues to follow advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health and guidance from Transport Canada to help ensure the safety of passengers and crews on provincial ferries during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- All passengers are still required to remain in their vehicles during crossings;
- The number of passengers on each ferry will continue to be limited to a maximum 50 per cent of its regular capacity;
- Passengers without vehicles, who travel in the passenger lounges, will still be required to practice physical distancing of at least six feet from other passengers; and
- Passengers without vehicles will not be permitted to travel in passenger lounges when physical distancing is not possible.
Passengers are reminded that the public health state of emergency remains in effect and schedules may be changed and previous restrictions may be implemented again if the Chief Medical Officer of Health returns the province to previous alert levels.
More information on alert levels and a complete list of the services and activities permitted during Alert Level 2 can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/.
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Media contact
Brian Scott
Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 725-9201
brianscott@gov.nl.ca