Opening the Island
Gathering limits, mask requirements from COVID-19 gradually easing
The end of COVID-19 restrictions is in sight with chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison unveiling Thursday the plan to reopen the province.
During a briefing alongside Premier Dennis King, Morrison presented a five-step plan that involved gradual changes to public health restrictions, including increases to gathering limits.
Morrison said she expects the state of public health emergency in P.E.I. will be lifted in September.
“In the fall, we will transition into living with COVID19 as we live with many other communicable diseases,” she said.
Starting June 6, Islanders will start to see gathering limit restrictions easing with the number of people allowed to attend weddings and funerals increasing to a maximum of 150.
The table size at restaurants will also increase to 20 and personal gatherings of up to 20 people will be allowed.
As the summer continues, non-medical mask requirements will be eased starting July 18.
The number of people able to attend organized gatherings will increase to 200 outdoors and 100 indoors.
By Sept. 12, there will be no limits for personal or organized gatherings.
Morrison said the plan includes three weeks between each step and the easing of measures to give time to determine the impact of the changes while allowing for more Islanders to get vaccinated.
When asked about possible changes to the plan, Morrison said she is hopeful the province doesn’t have to impose tighter restrictions again.
“If we need to, we’ll make adjustments as we go forward,” she said.
Changes could also be made to ease restrictions earlier than planned, depending on the circumstances, Morrison said.
“I certainly hope, if we do this gradually and carefully and the epidemiology supports it across the country and the region, that we won’t have to do the same kinds of restrictions that we’ve had to do in the past.”