Canada’s government has enacted tighter restrictions on
passenger ships, prohibiting commercial vessels with a capacity for more than
12 passengers from engaging in tourism and other recreational activities
through at least June 30.
Last month, Canada banned cruise ships with more than 500 passengers from making port calls.
In other measures that will remain in place through Oct. 31,
Canadian cruise ships are prohibited from mooring, navigating or transiting in
the country’s Arctic waters, and any foreign passenger vessel seeking to enter
Arctic waters must give Canada’s minister of transport 60 days’ notice.
The new restrictions do not apply to “essential passenger
vessels” such as ferries, water taxis and medical-use vessels nor to cargo
ships and fishing vessels, said Transport Canada.
“These new measures will help reduce the spread of Covid-19
while continuing to support the continued movement of goods through the supply
chain and ensuring Canadians can access their homes, jobs and essential
services in a safe manner,” said transport minister Marc Garneau.