Additional government services and provincial spaces re-open to Islanders

Islanders will be able to access more public services and spaces on Monday, June 1 when further COVID-19 public health measures are relaxed as the province moves into Phase 3 of the Renew PEI, Together plan.

During today’s sitting of the Legislative Assembly Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Steven Myers provided an update on government operations that will be re-opening or enhancing services starting on Monday.

“Over the past few weeks, government has been thoughtfully reintroducing frontline services to Islanders as part of the Renew PEI plan,” Myers said. “The government operations committee continues to work closely with the Chief Public Health Office to ensure appropriate public health measures are in place such as screening, physical distancing and enhanced cleaning to keep Islanders safe as services and provincial spaces are re-opened across the province.”  

Some services and spaces re-opening or expanding as part of Phase 3 include: 

• provincial parks for day use;
• provincial libraries; and, 
• PEI liquor stores (expanding hours of operation).

Islanders are encouraged to visit the Re-openings section of the Renew PEI, Together website for the full list of government sites and services the public can access now. 

Media Contact: 
Jill Edwards 
Senior Communications Officer
Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy
jedwards@gov.pe.ca 

Backgrounder:

Provincial Parks 
Provincial parks opening to the public for day use on June 5 include:

• Argyle Shore
• Basin Head
• Belmont
• Bloomfield
• Bonshaw Hills
• Chelton Beach
• Green Park
• Pinette Park
• Sally's Beach
• Strathgartney
• Union Corner
• Wood Islands
• Kings Castle

Libraries
Provincial libraries will begin to reopen in phase 3 at various dates as outlined below. 

Library Service will look different to keep Islanders safe and will follow Chief Public Health Office guidelines.

June 1 – Curbside pickup will be available at six rural libraries, including: Alberton, Kensington, Crapaud, Stratford, Murray River and Morell.

June 8 – Curbside delivery at public libraries will be extended to include: Tignish, Borden, Hunter River, Cornwall, Bibliotèque J.E. Arsenault (Charlottetown), St. Peter’s and Souris libraries. 

June 12 – Curbside pickup will begin at all remaining public library branches including: O’Leary, Tyne Valley, Abrams Village, Bibliotèque JH Blanchard (Summerside), Belle Alliance (Summerside), Kinkora, Breadalbane, Mt. Stewart, Georgetown, Montague and Murray Harbour. 

June 12 – Charlottetown and Summerside libraries will open with counter service only. Islanders can visit the library to pick up requested books or staff will select materials on the shelves for them. The public will not be allowed to browse the library. Service will be first come first serviced with 1-2 people in the library at one time.

Libraries will not offer in branch programs or computer stations for public use in Phase 3.

Library card registrations online, Tumblebooks for children, ebooks, audiobooks, online story times, crafts and book clubs are available at library.pe.ca.

PEI Liquor Stores 
Beginning May 31, PEILCC locations will extend their hours to the following:

West Royalty, Tignish, Stratford, Oak Tree, Montague, Granville, and Souris:
Sunday: 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Monday - Wednesday: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday - Saturday: 9:00am to 9:00pm

Remaining stores locations:
Sunday: closed
Monday - Saturday: 10:00am to 6:00pm

There will no longer be hours reserved for seniors and those with compromised immune systems.

For more information on current store hours, visit: PEI Liquor Store Locator.