P.E.I. plans for Phase 4 reopening
P.E.I. health officials provide update as province moves toward Phase 4 of reopening, June 26
As restrictions ease, health officials continue to plan for a surge in cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) on P.E.I., said the province’s head nurse.
At the Tuesday media briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, P.E.I.’s chief of nursing Marion Dowling said the joint response team remains at response level two with enhanced monitoring and planning happening.
The team continues to work on surge plans to handle future cases of COVID-19, and testing clinics have increased capacity to accommodate the arrival of seasonal residents.
In addition, medical supplies continue to be monitored carefully as the global supply chains limit availability of some items, said Dowling.
“Personal protective equipment such as disposable gowns, surgical gowns, masks, visors, hand sanitizer and soap are, of course, priority, as are medicines, ventilators and associated equipment,” she said.
There have been more than 10,000 COVID-19 tests done in P.E.I. as the province continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, said chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison.
During the briefing, Morrison said the province has started conducting COVID19 inspections at businesses. Environmental health officers have completed 299 inspections so far, mostly at restaurants and retail stores.
“We continue to face that delicate balance between protecting people from COVID19 while minimizing the negative social and economic impacts of extended restrictions,” said Morrison.
Phase 4 of Renew P.E.I. Together, the progressive lifting of public health measures, begins Friday, June 26.
Morrison announced gatherings of up to 50 people will be allowed, as long as there is an operational plan in place.
This will let activities like worship services, day camps, organized sports, weddings and funerals take place.
Facilities that can accommodate more than one group of 50 people will be allowed to host two gatherings for a total of 100 people at the same time, but the groups must remain separate at all times.
Also new in Phase 4 is that kids’ sleepovers will be allowed, but children from different households must sleep in different rooms or in beds six feet apart.
In her update on regional talks of a travel bubble, Morrison said the Atlantic premiers are committed to a bubble “to allow safe, efficient travel throughout the region; and this would be without the need to self-isolate”.
However, anyone coming from outside the Atlantic provinces would have to selfisolate.
In addition, Morrison noted the number of seasonal resident applications approved: 388 for the week of June 15-22, 317 for the week of June 22-28 and more than 300 for the following week.
A total of 179 people have been approved to come to P.E.I. to provide family support since this new category of travel was announced last week.
The province continues to prepare to care for any vulnerable Islanders who come down with COVID-19, said head nurse Dowling.
Work continues at the former Riverview Manor in Montague which will care for any COVID-19 patients from long-term care homes on P.E.I.
The old manor has been given a new name.
“To reflect the centre’s new use and its location, the facility will be called the Rosedale Care Centre,” said Dowling.
Visitor protocols in longterm care homes will ease as phase 4 arrives to allow indoor visits and visits from clergy and faith leaders.
Changes are also planned for extended care homes and mental health and addictions facilities.
“Any changes in this (visitor policy) will align with the phase 4 Renew P.E.I. Together plan, and further announcements will be made when those changes happen,” said Dowling.