COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Thursday, June 11
Phase 4 will allow organized gatherings of up to 50 indoors
Most Atlantic premiers appear hesitant to allow travel within their provinces, despite P.E.I. Premier Dennis King's recent remark that a travel bubble could be set up as early as the beginning of July.
P.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison announced Phase 4 of the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions will start June 26.
This further opening up of the province, as well as the potential opening of interprovincial borders within Atlantic Canada, will mean Islanders will have to refocus on the basics of pandemic guidelines, such as physical distancing, handwashing and enhanced cleaning, Morrison said.
Morrison also discussed family reunification for Islanders who have family members outside of Atlantic Canada. Morrison said an application process is being set up for those family reunions.
Marion Dowling, chief of nursing for Health PEI, said a number of health services continue to be restored this week.
Those include ambulatory care at the Prince County Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, lab services, diagnostic imaging, and OBGYN clinics.
Other COVID-19 stories
P.E.I.'s tourism industry, worth more than $500 million to the Island's economy last year, could shrink to less than $100 million this year.
Staff at an Island real estate company have come together to launch the Helping Hands initiative to give people in need access to essential items should a second wave of COVID-19 hit P.E.I.
After three rejected applications, a P.E.I. mother will soon be reunited with her son and parents from Newfoundland.
Seasonal residents are expressing frustration with the application process for coming to P.E.I.
The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council has laid out an argument for balancing economic and social concerns with health restrictions during the pandemic.
P.E.I. has had 27 confirmed cases of COVID-19. All have recovered. Close to 8,000 COVID-19 tests from P.E.I. have been done.
Also in the news
- The Opposition expressed concern in the legislature about the disproportionate economic hardship being faced by women in the pandemic, and the government agrees the situation is unacceptable.
- Restaurateurs on Prince Edward Island are finding business steady, but not yet busy, after reopening their dining rooms last Monday.
- Prince Edward Island has reopened mental health and addictions clinics for walk-in service.
- The Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association has joined Atlantic University Sport in cancelling its fall sports season.
- A West Prince woman is upset restrictions are keeping dozens of family members from her aunt's funeral.
- The pandemic has created unique challenges for people facing dying and mourning, grieving experts say.
Further resources
- Here is information for living with the COVID-19 pandemic on P.E.I. — including information on government relief programs, physical distancing measures, and essential health services.
- Here is a chart tracking COVID-19 numbers and a timeline of COVID-19-related events on P.E.I.