Bay Ferries has provided a brief update on the status of The Cat ferry’s summer season.
In a release posted on its website Wednesday, the company admits that the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely lead to a change in their season opening.
The ferry was slated to begin sailing on June 26th, but as Bay Ferries CEO Mark MacDonald explains, that won’t be happening.
“So what we expect to do is to put forward a plan for a phased-in commencement of service which we would hoped would be in the month of July,” he went on. “But in due course, once we present that plan it will be up to the governments and health authorities.”
MacDonald notes that although tickets are still available, the company says it doesn’t feel comfortable actively promoting the service until there is more certainty.
The border between the US and Canada continues to be closed with no firm date for re-opening.
Strict rules surrounding physical distancing on both sides of the border have also been a factor.
MacDonald notes that July 1st has been cited by some governments and other stakeholders as a key date for re-opening some parts of the economy.
“The governments and the health authorities face many decisions, obviously,” he said. “We felt it’s not fair to attempt to ask them the questions around our service too early even though we would very much like to have answers.”
The company again promises to update the public as soon as possible.
Meanwhile in Maine, Governor Janet Mills last week released a plan to gradually restart the State economy.
Media reports in the state show that the plan has come under heavy fire from the tourism sector, who note that potentially waiting until July 1st or later to open up would be devastating.
During a meeting of Bar Harbour Town Council this week, Member Gary Friedmann says he and a local doctor looked at COVID-19 infection rates in neighbouring states and provinces – including Nova Scotia – and they have some potential ideas.
“We though that if Maine had a reciprocal agreement with those states and provinces to allow people to come here without the 14-day quarantine, that that would province a level of visitation that might just get us through the season.”
Friedmann says another idea would be to ask the Governor to consider dropping the two-week quarantine requirement for visitors from those areas.
