H1N1 Backgrounder: Planes, Trains, Ferries and Buses—
Advice for Travellers, Crews and Operators

The Public Health Agency of Canada updated the following document on December 4, 2009

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The Government of Canada has issued guidance for Canadians who travel on trains, planes, ferries and inter-city buses and other public conveyances. The guidance document is primarily intended for travellers undertaking longer trips, particularly those travelling between cities, provinces or countries, and the operators and crews providing the transportation.  

When travel can’t be postponed

Passengers with H1N1 flu virus who cannot avoid or delay travel should try to avoid public transportation, if possible.  For example, they might consider travelling by car.

Situations may occur where a passenger or crew member on board a public conveyance shows signs of infection with H1N1 flu virus. In such cases, the guidance document recommends that

• Passengers and crew who seem ill with H1N1 flu virus be separated from other passengers and crew as much as possible.
• Ideally, persons experiencing symptoms of H1N1 flu virus be isolated or grouped together in a separate cabin with a dedicated washroom until they are symptom-free, feeling well and able to fully participate in their regular activities or disembarked, whichever comes first. 
• The number of crew interacting with the ill person(s) be minimized to the extent possible. 
• Persons with H1N1 flu virus be asked to wear a facial or surgical mask, if available, to help protect others. 

The first priority for operators should be to arrange for immediate medical attention for any ill passengers who require it. 

Rescheduling travel

Conveyance operators may wish to develop policies that make it easy for Canadians to re-book travel for reasons of illness.  Many airlines, bus companies and other conveyance operators already have such policies in place.

Advice for Operators and Crews

Crews should conduct self-assessments for symptoms of H1N1 flu virus and be instructed to report immediately to a designated crew member if symptoms develop.

Crew members who are sick with H1N1 flu virus should stay home until they are symptom-free and feeling well enough to participate in all regular activities.

Crews on board planes, trains, ferries and buses should take precautions to avoid becoming infected with H1N1 flu virus if they encounter passengers who are ill. Precautions include:

• limiting contact with ill passengers
• frequent hand washing

The use of gloves, masks, facemasks, and eye protection is not recommended for crew members in most situations. 

Reporting Requirement for Operators

The Quarantine Act requires that the operator of airplanes, trains, ferries or buses on international routes must report to the appropriate authority anything or anyone on board that could cause the spread of a communicable disease, including H1N1.  The authority will notify a quarantine officer.

Airlines notify an air traffic controller or their air carrier centres. Bus companies and train operators notify the Public Health Agency of Canada Duty Officer prior to entering into Canada or a border services officer of the Canada Border Services Agency upon arriving in Canada. Ferry operators report to their designated Quarantine Station.

There are no legal reporting requirements for operators of domestic conveyances; however, public health authorities are available for consultation regarding suspected cases or outbreaks of H1N1 flu virus on board. Operators should consult, as necessary, with the public health authority responsible for the jurisdiction in which they are stopping.

An operator’s first priority should be to arrange for immediate medical attention for any ill passengers who require it. 

The Role of Quarantine Officers

Quarantine officers, working with CBSA officers as required, assess the situation and advise on whether further action under the Quarantine Act is required for the ill traveller.  

The Quarantine Service also notifies Health Canada and/or provincial and local public health officials according to established protocols.