Precautionary measures regarding Omicron variant; one new case of COVID-19

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced new precautionary and temporary measures in response to the Omicron variant of concern.

“The situation with Omicron is evolving and we will know more about how transmissible this variant is in the coming weeks. I am concerned about the potential impact of the new variant on long-term care and community care residents who are at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. Nationally, case rates among children age 5 to 11 years are the highest of any age group. The addition of these new measures is out of an abundance of caution as we continue to do what is necessary to protect the health of Islanders.”

- Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison

Effective Friday, December 3 at 8:00 am until early January the following measures will be in place:

• Anyone arriving in PEI from an international destination (including the United States) must be tested at the point of entry on arrival and again on day 4. The testing on day 4 is no longer recommended, it is required.  Individuals who traveled internationally who do not get a day 4 test will be subject to enforcement measures, including fines.
• Any individuals who return from international travel will be unable to enter a long term care or community care facility in PEI until they have had three negative COVID-19 tests on days 0, 4 and 8. This applies to all staff, volunteers and visitors.
• Similar to Nova Scotia, children under the age of 12 years will be unable to travel interprovincially for the purpose of participating in sports tournaments or arts and culture events. PEI cannot host interprovincial tournaments and arts and culture events for children under 12 years of age. Provincial tournaments (within PEI) and arts and culture activities are permitted, as are provincial and interprovincial sports tournaments for those 12 years of age and older. PEI children under the age of 12 years can attend out of province tournaments and arts and culture events as spectators but they may not participate in those events.

These measures will be in place until early January and will be reevaluated at that time.

Dr. Morrison announced one new case of COVID-19 in PEI. The individual is in their 70s and they recently travelled outside of PEI. Contact tracing is now complete, and the individual is self-isolating. 

There is a new flight exposure notification:

• Air Canada flight 8332 which departed Toronto on Tuesday, November 30 and arrived in Charlottetown on Wednesday, December 1

Anyone who travelled on this flight should monitor closely for symptoms of COVID-19 and if any symptoms develop, visit a drop-in testing site.

There are currently 25 active cases of COVID-19 in PEI and there have been 381 cases since the pandemic began. 

As always, all Islanders are urged to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even after a previous negative test, and to self-isolate until the results come back. Islanders are also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Anyone age 12 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics and those age 18 years or older can visit one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province. Island children between the ages of five and 11 can now receive their COVID-19 vaccination at Health PEI clinics.

For information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including vaccine facts, immunization data and booking an appointment, visit: COVID-19 Vaccines. For answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit: Answers to Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions.

For the latest information about Prince Edward Island’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit: COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Prince Edward Island. 

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
• Get vaccinated
• Wear a non-medical mask in indoor places
• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• 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