Opposition presses premier on reopening plans

Opposition Leader Peter Bevan-Baker opened question period on Wednesday by again asking about the premier’s decision to open the province to seasonal residents.

Bevan-Baker began by referring to remarks by Premier Dennis King on Tuesday, indicating that the decision to open the province to seasonal residents had been informed by chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison. Bevan-Baker argued King was ultimately responsible for the decision.

Bevan-Baker asked the premier to take ownership of the decision and “leave Dr. Morrison out of it".

King responded that the government has been working its way through the COVID-19 pandemic by following research and science.

"That process has worked out very, very well so far," King said.

Bevan-Baker then shifted to asking what circumstances would bring about a halt or reversal of the province’s plans to ease COVID-19-related public health restrictions. He said New Brunswick has stated three unconnected cases of COVID-19 diagnosed within six days would prompt a “shutdown".

"Unlike other provinces that have been frank with their residents, our government has provided no clear direction as to what circumstances will prompt a new shutdown of our economy and of our province,” BevanBaker said.

“How many new active cases will it take to shut down our province again?”

King responded that this question is often asked daily of Morrison.

"Dr. Morrison is the first to say that not every case of COVID is equal in terms of how we would proceed with a shut-down process," King said.

“The metrics that their staff will use to pull the brakes on this, (at) such a time as we need to, will depend on what we see in terms of the arrival of COVID. Is it a community spread, what the contact tracing has been along the way?"

Bevan-Baker then asked for the premier to provide MLAs with the metrics and data being used for planning the Island’s reopening plans.

"I would be happy to share that with this legislature as soon as I possibly can," King said.

P.E.I. has been without new positive case of COVID19 for over a month. All 27 positive cases recorded on the Island are considered recovered.

Many jurisdictions are preparing for a second wave of the virus, which could occur by fall.

Stu Neatby/The Guardian Premier Dennis King takes questions from media on Wednesday outside the Coles Building. The premier was pressed by the Green Opposition about what might prompt a reversal of some of the plans to reopen its economy.