Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officials said efforts to resume ferry service to Canada have been suspended until at least April 28.
Washington State Ferries, a division of the WSDOT, is the nation’s largest ferry system and transports nearly 24 million people a year.
Route suspension serving Anacortes and Sidney, British Columbia, stems from the recent closure of the Canadian border to help slow the spread of COVID-19. International service was originally scheduled to restart March 29, following the annual three-month shut down during the slower winter months.
Washington State Ferries officials said the entity would continue to monitor U.S., Canadian, state, and county COVID-19 guidelines and directives to support customers making travel decisions, adding plans are ready to limit service or passenger capacity on other routes if ridership declines further or based on evolving health guidelines.
The ferry normally serving Sidney in the spring also does domestic sailings in the early morning, afternoon, and evening. Those routing endeavors would resume as scheduled, maintaining they are vital to San Juan Islands residents, businesses, and the economy.
Customers can sign up for email rider alerts, check the Washington State Ferries website, and follow on social media for notification of resumption of regular service and other rider information.