Flying over the holidays? Here’s what you need to know
Flying over the holidays can be stressful at the best of times, let alone in a pandemic.
In advance of the upcoming holiday season, public health experts and politicians everywhere have sent the same message: avoid non-essential travel if at all possible. But for some, seeing family is - or at least feels - essential.
For those still set on flying this December, we asked the experts for their best tips on how to stay safe.
First question: Should you fly?
No, not if you don't have to, say the experts.
What does the province say?
Premier Doug Ford has asked people to only celebrate the holidays with their immediate family. Those who live alone can join one other household. Those living in the red zone, which includes Hamilton, are meant to stay home and only go out for essential reasons.
As for people who live away from home - such as those studying at colleges and universities - the province advises they self-quarantine," which involves reducing close contact with other people, for 10 to 14 days before returning home.
How risky is flying?
Dr. Zain Chagla, an infectious disease physician at St. Joseph's Healthcare and an associate professor of medicine at McMaster University, says although COVID transmission on flights is rare, it has happened. What can be more dangerous, he says, is travelling to the airport. He advises that people have someone in their immediate family bubble drive to the airport and ideally, have someone who they're also close with come pick them up once they land. Avoid public transit, he says.
If you are going to fly, what should you do to say safe?
Chagla recommends keeping your mask on at all times unless you need to eat or drink. If you do take it off to eat or drink, try to stagger your timing with those around you. You're safer to eat mask-free if those around you have their masks on. Ensure you are frequently handwashing or hand-sanitizing.
Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist at the University of Toronto, advises you avoid the middle seat if possible. Sitting in the middle, you'll be closely exposed to people on both sides of you. If you can afford it, fly business class to maximize the distance between you and others.
Furness also advises spending as little time on the airplane as possible - get on late and get off early. Just make sure you don't miss your flight.
What should you do after you land?
Again, Chagla recommends having someone in your household bubble pick you up, if at all possible. Over the next few days after landing, pay close attention to how you're feeling. Don't just write off symptoms as jet lag and get tested if you are experiencing COVID symptoms.
Will you be notified if there was a COVID case on your plane?
This may depend on the airline you fly with, but both Swoop and WestJet say they will notify passengers seated in nearby rows. WestJet notifies passengers seated three rows forward and three rows back of a COVID-positive passenger. The government of Canada also posts online a list of all flights affected by COVID within the last 14 days.
How many COVID cases have been on flights in to or out of Hamilton?
At least 22. Both Swoop and WestJet post information online about which flights - and in some cases, which rows - were potentially exposed to COVID. Swoop lists 21 flights in to or out of John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport since the beginning of the pandemic that have had COVID-positive passengers on them. The most recent was Nov. 16 when a COVID-positive passenger travelled from Hamilton to Abbotsford, B.C. WestJet lists just one Hamilton-affected flight: Aug. 14, Calgary to Hamilton.
Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com