CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Premier Dennis King says he hopes this summer will look a lot different than the last one.
During a COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday, King said conversations are already happening on what might be possible in terms of holding events or welcoming travellers.
Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.’s chief public health officer, said the goal is to get 80 per cent of the Island’s population immunized with at least the first of the two necessary vaccines. That 80 per cent would mean more than 100,000 Islanders will have some level of protection against the virus.
“We are looking at what a different summer means,’’ King told The Guardian. “It will mean, hopefully, a different level of activity and a different level of movement of travel. It will become more clear over the weeks ahead.’’
When asked to cite examples, King said they would like to see events such as the Charlottetown Festival and Old Home Week return, “even if they have to be somewhat abbreviated this year’’.
Travel-wise, King said they envision the Atlantic bubble reopening. Allowing people in from other provinces depends on what things look like in other jurisdictions.
“As vaccination programs roll out across the country we will need to figure out how we can have the inter-provincial travel through Canada and what that will look like. There are a lot of questions around that. Those are among the many things we are trying to figure out.’’
Morrison said a lot is factored into all decisions.
“We are always balancing the goal of trying to minimize illness and hospitalizations related to COVID,’’ she said. “The other goal is to minimize societal disruption.’’
However, the premier was clear in saying the health of Islanders comes first.
“If we have to pivot again (with restrictions), we will do it and do it quickly,’’ he said.
Posted by Prince Edward Island Government on Wednesday, 3 March 2021
Dave Stewart is a reporter for The Guardian. [email protected] @DveStewart
