CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — As P.E.I. continues to see no new cases of COVID-19, the province is getting ready to welcome back some seasonal residents.
Premier Dennis King made the announcement during a briefing on the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) Wednesday afternoon.
Seasonal residents are a big part of the community and make a “tremendous contribution” to social and economic well-being, said King.
Starting June 1, P.E.I. will begin the process of allowing people from within Canada to return to their P.E.I. home.
“Because we are in unprecedented times, we will require seasonal residents to submit their relevant travel and property ownership documentation, as well as their self-isolation plans and other details prior to travelling to our province,” said King.
Once here, those residents will have to self-isolate for 14 days and follow public health orders.
Any seasonal residents who live the rest of the year in the United States will not yet be permitted to come to P.E.I., as the federal governments of both countries have agreed to keep the Canada-U.S. border closed to non-essential travel until at least June 26. This affects around 1,100 of P.E.I.’s 3,500 seasonal residents.
During the briefing, King also encouraged people to support P.E.I. businesses by buying local products.
The province will be launching a staycation campaign on June 1, and King said he wants Islanders to see and experience everything the province has to offer.
“This is an opportunity for us to explore our province, to create memories that will last a lifetime and help support our friends, neighbours and fellow Islanders,” said King.
Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison also spoke during the briefing, saying P.E.I. is able to move ahead with relaxing restrictions because of the position it is in.
Morrison said there were 580 new negative tests for COVID-19 since last week.
P.E.I. moves to the second phase of relaxing public health measures on Friday, May 22. That phase includes reopening some businesses, childcare facilities and non-urgent government services.
“They can also choose to wait until a later time that is more convenient or more comfortable for them,” said Morrison, adding a reminder for businesses to prepare a pandemic operating plan before reopening, to outline the adjustments they are making to align with public health measures.
Morrison said the limits for gatherings during the second phase won’t change. Individual households can have up to five additional people indoors, and up to 10 extra visitors outside.
Physical distancing remains very important, said Morrison.
“We need to get used to it, practise it and it will protect us as we go forward in the months ahead,” she said.
Phase 3 starts on June 1 and will include opening some playgrounds along with more organized recreational activities and services.
Also at the Wednesday briefing, Marion Dowling, head of nursing for the Island, announced changes to the weekend hours at the drive-thru testing clinics.
“Moving forward, one of each of theses clinics will be closed on either a Saturday or a Sunday, rotating each week, so that Islanders will still be able to have access seven days a week.”
The professionals have been working hard to serve Islanders at the clinics, said Dowling.
“We’re hoping this adjustment will support their need for some well-deserved rest as well.”
The clinic in Charlottetown saw 63 patients, while Summerside tested 18 on Tuesday.
