Moving On - Transition Plan to Living with COVID-19

Prince Edward Island is moving forward with a step-by-step plan to ease public health measures over the coming weeks and months as we transition out of a public health state of emergency and learn to live with COVID-19.
This plan was developed based on numbers of cases, numbers of positive tests, new outbreaks, hospitalizations and the COVID-19 situation locally, nationally and internationally.
Throughout the transition and as we begin to live with COVID-19, Island residents and visitors are advised to get vaccinated as recommended, assess personal risk, and stay home when ill. Read the full plan, which outlines each step, here.
- Step 1 (February 17, 2022) increases to personal and organized gathering limits, including for sports and recreation activities, and reduced measures for business operations, post-entry isolation will be discontinued for fully vaccinated travelers, while continuing to test, and off-island travel for sports and recreation may resume.
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Step 1 (February 24, 2022) updates to contact management
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Step 1 (February 28, 2022) the Vax Pass program will be discontinued, and no isolation for travelers with ongoing testing of travelers.
- Step 2 March 17, 2022 additional increases for outdoor personal gatherings and organized gathering limits, including for sports and recreation activities, as well as capacity limits for business operations.
- Step 3 (April 6, 2022) removal of personal and organized gathering and capacity limits, no point of entry screening, voluntary testing upon arrival to PEI.
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May 6, 2022 masking requirements continue in certain high risk settings.
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May 24, 2022 masking no longer required in early learning and child care centres, and for students and staff in K-12 public and private schools and on school buses.
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June 3, 2022 masks are still recommended but no longer required in public transit; masking requirements remain in high-risk settings, including hospitals, long-term care, and community care homes; isolation requirements for positive cases updated.
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Further easing of remaining measures as situation permits.
Throughout the transition, COVID-19 press briefings will be held and public updates will be issued as needed. COVID-19 data will continue to be updated on the web.
- Considerations
- Guidance for all steps
- Public health measures
- Personal gatherings
- Organized gatherings
- Receptions and dances
- Sport and recreation
- Business and NGOs
- Long term care
- Education and childcare
- Travel isolation and testing
- Case and contact management
- Reporting
Considerations
- Ongoing vaccine uptake among Island residents is critical, including booster doses in those age 50 and over.
- General public health measures such as physical distancing and masking as well as testing at the points of entry will continue to provide a solid foundation for easing these measures.
- Going forward, we will watch for emerging variants with increased risk of severe disease and monitor and control outbreaks in vulnerable populations.
- We will need to continue to be prepared to respond as there may be surges in COVID-19 activity and strain on our health system.
- Vaccine recommendations will also continue to evolve.
Guidance for all steps:
- Get vaccinated and boosted
- Assess the risk to yourself and to others for participating in activities
- Vulnerable individuals should exercise caution and minimize high-risk exposures situations
- Stay home when sick
- Remember that outdoor activities are lower risk than indoor, and smaller gatherings are lower risk than larger gatherings
Public health measures
Step 3 – Current
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As of June 3, 2022, masks are no longer required in public transit but are still recommended.
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Masking is still required in certain high-risk settings, including hospitals, long-term care and community care homes.
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Further easing of remaining measures as situation permits
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COVID-19 public health guidance can be found here
Personal gatherings
Step 3 – Current
- Gathering limits removed
- COVID-19 public health guidance can be found here
Organized gatherings
Spectators and attendees (e.g. worship services, concerts, spectators at sport events)
Step 3 – Current
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No organized gathering limits
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COVID-19 public health guidance can be found here
Receptions and dances
Step 3 – Current
- May operate at full capacity
- COVID-19 public health guidance can be found here
Sport and recreation
Step 3 – Current
- May operate at full capacity
- COVID-19 public health guidance can be found here
Business and NGOs
Step 3 – Current
- May operate at full capacity
- COVID-19 public health guidance can be found here
Long term care
Step 3 - Current (as of April 14, 2022)
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A resident may identify unlimited visitors.
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2 visitors at a time recommended indoors
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In outbreak situations, three Partners-in-care (PIC) permitted
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Facility entertainment permitted with guidance on enhanced infection prevention and testing of entertainers prior to entering the facility.
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Non-essential care providers permitted with guidance on antigen testing prior to entering facility.
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Facility church permitted with guidance for entertainments (guidance provided to facilities).
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Residents may go out on pass independently or in the care of a visitor including to community settings. Easing measures will continue to be assessed and prioritized as the situation permits.
Education and childcare
Step 3 - Current
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As of May 24, 2022, masks are no longer required in early learning and childcare, and for students and staff in K-12 when they are on buses and when not seated in class.
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Regular home antigen screening testing no longer required; tests are still available for people who wish to continue screening
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May operate at full capacity
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Easing measures will continue to be assessed and prioritized as the situation permits.
Travel isolation and testing
(including PEI residents)
Step 3 – Current
- No isolation for travellers
- No screening or testing at any of the PEI points of entry
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Federal border measures may apply
Case and contact management
Step 3 - Current
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Enhanced measures recommended for close contacts
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Isolation for cases
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Easing measures will continue to be assessed and prioritized as the situation permits.
Reporting
Step 3 – Current
- Press briefings as needed, press releases as needed, continued updates to COVID-19 case data on website weekly