Alert Level 3 begins
A comprehensive run-down of what’s open, permitted
As the province moves to Alert Level 3 on Monday, people can now enjoy a sitdown meal at their favourite restaurant, dive into an outdoor pool and get their hair cut, among other changes.
Movement between alert levels depends on continued low COVID-19 numbers — as of Sunday, the province had just two active cases remaining — as well as the passing of 28 days between levels.
However, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said last week that if all goes well, the province might move to Alert Level 2 in fewer than 28 days.
Meanwhile, here’s what you can expect during Alert Level 3, according to the province’s COVID-19 website.
HEALTH CARE
Private health care clinics can reopen in accordance with guidelines, and regional health authorities will continue to allow some health care services to resume.
All visitor restrictions in health care remain in place, as do orders for long-term care, personal care homes, and assisted living facilities. However, some changes are expected this week. Health
Minister Dr. John Haggie said those changes will be announced sometime this week, but he was mum on details.
BUSINESSES AND SERVICES
Retail stores can open with restrictions.
Some of those restrictions include: product sampling or testing is prohibited, food court seating areas must operate at reduced capacity, signage should indicate flow of traffic, and escalators must be managed to maintain two metres between users.
If you decide to try on clothes, you’ll likely be asked to leave any unwanted clothing in a designated location. Guidelines for retail indicate those clothes should not be returned to the display floor for 24 hours.
“You and I can work together to make a better world,” Amadi told the crowd, garnering cheers from the thousands. “You and I can work together to create justice. You and I can work together to make this work.”
It drew loud chants of, “Black Lives Matter! Black Lives Matter!”
The rally was one many that have been held around the world over the last few weeks honouring Floyd, who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes in a botched arrest that was seen around the world by a cellphone video. As Floyd lay on the ground, he begged for the officer to stop, shouting, “I can’t breathe.”
That moment was remembered at the St. John’s rally as everyone in attendance got on one knee, each person raising one fist, for eight minutes, chanting. With each cheer and chant, musicians Idris Ilmi, Eddie Kpehe and Korede Fateye, who sat on the Confederation Building front steps, tapped on djembe drums.
There was also another moving moment when Ife Alaba, with powerful vocals and accompanied by Korede Sateye on keyboard, wowed the crowd with song.
Another speaker at the rally, Dr. Paul Banahene Adjei, a Memorial University professor of social work, said seeing so many groups of people coming together to condemn what happened to Floyd gives hope. However, he said the issue is not simply about police and black people.
“We are talking about a system that has been developed over 400 years that continues to treat black people as disposable material...” he said.
“I want to bring that conversation here to Newfoundland because oftentimes, the danger of talking about anti-black racism is we often point fingers at what is happening in the United States and in the process, we ignore what is also happening in our home here.”
Adjei said he’s been the subject of racism in this province and said it’s time for everyone to speak up about it.
“The world is in a dangerous place, not because of the evil things or evil (people), but by the silence of good people,” he said, noting Floyd’s cries of not being able to breathe is symbolic of the of black people’s experiences of racism are often dismissed.
“So, let’s make a commitment that when we witness racism, we don’t keep our silence. Our silence doesn’t make us good people, it makes us complacent.”
Other speakers at the event included Dr. Zainab Jarrett, founder of Tombolo Festival and owner of Multi Ethnic Food Kitchen, who noted the importance of having more black people in leadership roles.
Navel Sarr, organizer of the St. John’s African Roots Festival who also helped Black History Month celebrations in February, as well as Nunah
Toweh, also spoke, while audio from videos put together by MUN professors, Dr. Sulaimon Giwa and Dr. Deloros Mullins, was also played for the crowd.
Rioko Milani told of her experience of racism at a St. John’s park, where she was with her two children. The woman assumed she was the children’s nanny. Raven Khadeja, a teacher, said it’s time for people to listen for the black community.
Everyone in the crowd wore masks and as organizers stressed the importance of social distancing, they did their best to stay in their own smaller groups. RNC officers, some in patrol cars and two from the mounted unit, were nearby, but all seemed to go well without incident.
Black Lives Matter NL cofounder Precious Familusi later told The Telegram he was overwhelmed with the turnout at the rally and they hope to plan others in the future.
“We knew we’d get a big number, but to get to that level was incredible. It was great to see so much support,” said Familusi, who said they had four days to organize the event.
“It’s good that folks are ready to have this conversation, but the conversation doesn’t stop at the rally.”