PEI eases public health measures
Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, announced the further easing of public health measures within the province starting this weekend.
Starting at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, the following public health measures will come into effect and are expected to remain in place until February 16, 2021:
- Organized gatherings, such as concerts, worship services and movie theatres, can continue to operate with a total of 50 people but can now have up to three additional groups of 50 people (up to 200 total) with an approved operational plan. Weddings and funerals can include up to 50 people, plus officiants. Weddings and funerals are not eligible for additional groups of 50.
- Gyms/fitness facilities, museums, and libraries may now operate at capacity provided physical distancing and other public health measures can be maintained. Indoor fitness activities such as hot yoga, boot camps, spin and high intensity interval training must continue to operate at a three-meter physical distance between individuals.
- Retail stores, markets and craft fairs may operate at capacity providing physical distancing and other public health measures can be maintained.
- Restaurants and licensed premises can continue to offer in-room dining service with a later closing time of 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and a maximum table size of 10 people. These establishments are subject to the organized gathering limit of 50 people, but can now have up to three additional groups of 50 people with an approved operational plan.
Other public health measures will remain in place:
- Personal gatherings (indoor and outdoor) continue to be permitted with up to 10 additional people outside of your household. These 10 people should be as consistent as possible and physical distancing should be maintained as much as possible.
- Organized recreational and team sports may resume following the organized gathering limits, with enhanced attention to records for contact tracing.
- Personal services can continue operating on an appointment basis.
- Long-term care residents can have up to two partners in care, with a limited number of visitors allowed in designated areas.
- Licensed and unlicensed childcare centres can continue operating at 100% capacity.
The Chief Public Health Office is reminding Island businesses, services and organizations, as well as organizers of organized gatherings, that they are required to have measures in place to mitigate transmission of COVID-19 and to develop and follow an operational plan detailing those measures.
Prince Edward Island’s participation in the Atlantic Bubble continues to be suspended until mid-February as the COVID-19 situation within the region continues to be regularly assessed.
All Islanders are reminded to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, and to self-isolate until the results come back. Islanders are also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will to let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
Prince Edward Island currently has seven active cases of COVID-19 and has had a total of 110 positive cases of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. Information about the province’s COVID-19 cases is available online.
Backgrounder:
The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to monitor the pandemic situation and prepare for all COVID-19 related impacts to the province, including health, social and economic. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.
Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:
- Physical distance - stay two meters (6 feet) apart
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
- Stay home if you are not feeling well
- Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Keep your circle of contacts small
- Wear a mask in closed, indoor public spaces
- Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
- Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops
- Visit a drop-in-clinic to be tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
Media Contact:
Samantha Hughes
Health and Wellness
shughes@gov.pe.ca