A hardware store in Summerside has reopened for business, after a deep cleaning over the weekend.

On Saturday, an employee at Callbecks Home Hardware tested positive for COVID 19. The store was put on the list of potential exposure sites associated with the latest outbreaks of COVID-19 on P.E.I.

Owner Duane MacDonald said he voluntarily shut down as soon as they heard about the positive test on Saturday.

Where Islanders might have been exposed to COVID-19 — and where to get tested

Tough new COVID-19 measures kicked in at midnight Sunday, meaning some things are no longer possible on the Island until at least midnight on Wednesday.

Drivers seeking COVID-19 tests in faced a long wait in line at the Slemon Park testing centre near Summerside Friday.

Slemon Park tests

The drive-thru clinic at Slemon Park near Summerside was busy Monday.

COVID-19 cleaning has been part of the work day for the past year, but it was ramped up on Sunday.

MacDonald said a fleet of trucks and 15 workers, some in protective suits, arrived to disinfect the store, all office space and outbuildings.

Callbecks

"The staff do an excellent job in maintaining and cleaning, but these guys are professionals," he said.

"And this was a scenario where we needed someone to come in and make sure everything was sanitized the right way…. I was teasing the staff that this is probably the safest, cleanest building on P.E.I. right now."

A lot of other stores on that list of exposure sites are going through the same process.

All 60 staff of Callbecks went for testing, and the results all came back negative.

Ten staff members, who worked with the man who tested positive, remain in self-isolation.

Callbecks continues to operate on reduced hours, to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Bus ridership almost at 'standstill' during P.E.I. red-level lockdown

Bus ridership on P.E.I. dropped significantly after the 72-hour circuit breaker began at midnight Sunday, but T3 Transit says passengers can be assured the buses are being thoroughly cleaned and will be safe when they decide to hop back on.

Mike Cassidy, owner of T3 Transit says the bus tours held Saturday were a good opportunity to answer questions and explain features of the bus. 

Mike Cassidy

Mike Cassidy, owner of T3 Transit, says the results from two drivers who were tested for COVID-19 came back negative.

Green MLA, labour group want government to require paid sick days in COVID-19 response

A Green MLA wants to know if government is considering legislation for guaranteed paid sick leave as part of its COVID-19 response. 

Green MLA, Lynne Lund says she'd like to see legislation that would require employers to provide seven paid sick days to their employees and government support for businesses that need help to do that.  

Lynne Lund

'We want people to stay home when they're not feeling well ... but the flip side of that is they actually need to be able to do that,' said Green MLA Lynne Lund.

Callbecks Home Hardware was thoroughly cleaned on Sunday, says the store owner.

Summerside hardware store reopens after professional cleaning

Staff tests negative

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