Circuit breaker restrictions eased; one new positive case of COVID-19

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced new, eased restrictions for Prince Edward Island. 

Islanders are encouraged to keep gatherings small and households should associate with a limited number of individuals this holiday season.  

“Christmas will be different this year. I urge Islanders to gather only in small groups of consistent people,” said Dr. Morrison. “We know that COVID-19 spreads easily in closed spaces with people in close contact for a sustained period of time. Let’s not give this virus a chance to spread at our social gatherings this holiday season.”   

Effective Friday, December 18 at 8:00 am until January 11, 2021, the following measures will be in place:

• Personal gatherings (indoor and outdoor) are permitted with up to 10 additional people outside of your household. (Example: A household of four can gather with an additional 10 people). These ten people should be as consistent as possible and physical distancing should be maintained as much as possible. 
• Organized gatherings, such as concerts, worship services and movie theatres, can operate with a total of 50 people. A second group of 50 people is permitted with an approved operational plan. Weddings and funerals can include up to 50 people, plus officiants. Weddings and funerals are not eligible for a second group of 50. 
• Gyms/fitness facilities, museums, and libraries may operate at 50% capacity with some modifications for high intensity activities. 
• Organized recreational and team sports may resume subject to the gathering limits . Tournaments are not permitted. 
• Retail stores, markets and craft fairs may operate at 50% capacity. 
• Restaurants and licensed premises may re-open in-room dining with a closing time of 11:00 pm and a maximum table size of ten people. These establishments are subject to the organized gathering limit of 50 people, with a second group of 50 permitted with an operational plan. 
• Personal services may continue operating on an appointment basis, provided non-medical masks are worn at all times by staff and patrons. 
• 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. 

There is also one new confirmed positive COVID-19 case in Prince Edward Island. 

The case is a man in his 30s who travelled to PEI from outside the Atlantic Region to visit his family. He has been self-isolating alone since he arrived in the province and is not experiencing any symptoms. 

The man travelled to PEI on December 13 on Air Canada Flight 7462 from Toronto. Anyone who travelled on this flight should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and if symptoms develop, visit a drop-in testing clinic and self-isolate until results are received. 

Dr. Morrison says this is yet another example of the importance of self-isolating upon arrival into the province but also emphasizes the value of self-isolating away from those you are coming to PEI to visit. 

All Islanders should get tested if experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, and 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 17 active cases of COVID-19 and since the onset of the pandemic there has been 90 positive cases of COVID-19 in the province. 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:

• 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 
• Physical distance - stay two meters (6 feet) apart 
• 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