COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Thursday, May 27
P.E.I. announces 5-step reopening plan
Premier Dennis King and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison announced a five-step plan for reopening the province's borders Thursday. First, some restrictions will be eased on P.E.I., and by June 27 the Island should be ready to welcome visitors from the other Atlantic provinces, with rapid testing at borders.
King addressed concerns about long lineups to come to P.E.I. with that testing, as well as other details of the plan, in an interview with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.
Some Prince Edward Islanders will be getting second doses of COVID-19 vaccine sooner than expected. Morrison said public clinics are reducing the time between appointments from 16 weeks to 12 to 14 weeks.
The federal government has created a new fund to support festivals and events on P.E.I. through another summer of pandemic restrictions. It will be administered locally by the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I.
With this summer's tourism season uncertain, so are the prospects for students looking for summer jobs.
Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines at 12 of P.E.I.'s pharmacies are now available to all eligible adults.
An unusual but remarkable season has come to an end for the Charlottetown Islanders.
There have been 200 cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. and 13 are considered active. There have been no deaths and two hospitalizations.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic region:
- Nova Scotia reported 33 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, continuing a downward trend. It has 638 active cases.
- Newfoundland and Labrador reported six new cases Thursday. It has 89 active cases.
- Nine new cases were confirmed in New Brunswick. It now has 137 active cases.
Also in the news
- Businesses in eastern P.E.I. are keen to see the ferries reopened to non-commercial traffic.
- Many Canadians relying on employment insurance this year are in for a "rude awakening" come September, says P.E.I. Sen. Diane Griffin. That's when some measures meant to ease people off the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and onto EI are set to expire.
- P.E.I. National Park staff are looking forward to visitation numbers returning to something closer to normal this summer..
These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine
- People over 12.
- Islanders over 18 can book an appointment for a Moderna vaccine at a pharmacy.
You can find more information about how to get a vaccine here.
Further resources
- Here is a chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March 2020, and a timeline of pandemic events.
- Here is a look at how coronavirus is spreading across Canada.
Reminder about symptoms
The symptoms of COVID-19 can include:
- Fever.
- Cough or worsening of a previous cough.
- Possible loss of taste and/or smell.
- Sore throat.
- New or worsening fatigue.
- Headache.
- Shortness of breath.
- Runny nose.