Washington State Ferries is asking the public to limit holiday travel to essential trips.

The recommendation is based on Gov. Jay Inslee’s suggestion to limit gatherings until Jan. 4.

“We are asking the public to limit rides on our ferries to essential purposes only over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season,” a WSF news release says.

If you must ride, be aware that some sailing schedules are different from years past. For example the final daily round-trip is suspended for Seattle-Bainbridge Island, as it is on Fridays and Saturdays at Kingston-Edmonds. The prior route will operate on a Saturday timetable both days, for example.

Due to COVID-19, ferry riders must wear masks anytime they are out of their vehicles. WSF recommends people stay in their vehicles, where it is OK to remove your mask.

Lengthy wait times are possible for those driving a vehicle onto a vessel over the holidays. With Christmas falling on a Friday the Saturday and Sunday following are expected to be the busiest. Delays are possible in both directions on several routes. Historically, far fewer people catch a ferry during the week of the New Year’s holiday.

People catching our ferries over the holidays should sign up for email alerts, check terminal conditions and read COVID-19 travel updates at www.wsdot.com.