A new family support category of the compassionate grounds travel exemption will allow people from other parts of Canada to come to help family members living in P.E.I.
Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison announced the new category of travel exemption at the June 16 media briefing on the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) pandemic.
“Family members who live off-Island are worried about their loved ones and want to be here to help them,” said Morrison.
“I’m happy that Islanders in need can now have that help and support.”
Examples of help include emotional or psychological support, personal care, respite, home support and childcare.
The office of public safety began accepting applications for the family support travel exemption Tuesday afternoon, which will take about two weeks to be reviewed and processed.
“The applications approved under this category must demonstrate that the visit will provide needed and welcome support for Islanders,” said Morrison.
“It is not a means for families to come to P.E.I. for solely social or recreational purposes or to have a typical vacation.”
Family is defined as people living in Canada - parent, child, sibling, grandchild or grandparent.
International family members returning under the federal reunification effort will be allowed in as well, said Morrison.
The mandatory 14-day self-isolation period and all other public health measures apply to family support visitors.
This decision was based on COVID-19 epidemiology in P.E.I. and the declining number of cases in other provinces, said Morrison.
By the numbers
Here are the latest numbers from chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison provided at the June 16 media briefing on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic:
- 99,000 cases of COVID-19 in Canada
- 8,100 COVID-19 deaths in Canada
- 40 per cent decrease case numbers in Nova Scotia in the last week
- 18 per cent of Canadian COVID-19 cases are in long-term care residents
- 82 per cent of Canadian COVID-19 deaths are in long-term care homes
- 754 negative tests on P.E.I. since Friday
- 9,100 people have been tested on P.E.I.
The chief public health officer reminds Islanders to stay vigilant with hand-washing, physical distancing and other disease control measures.
“Now that we have started welcoming seasonal residents as well as others who are travelling to help their family in P.E.I., we must be even more cautious about protecting ourselves and our families,” said Morrison.
- More than 1,600 seasonal resident travel applications have arrived at the public safety office since June 1, said Morrison.
- This week, 342 successful applicants are permitted to arrive in P.E.I. with 175 expected to arrive next week.
- The office has approved around 800 applications from Atlantic Canada, the territories and western provinces so far.
- The remaining 700 applications are from Ontario, Quebec and other areas.
- Quebec has announced that interprovincial travel has reopened and Morrison explained during the briefing how travellers heading to the Magdalen Islands will get there.
P.E.I. and New Brunswick have agreed to allow any traveller from Quebec heading to the Magdalen Islands to pass through as of June 26. This corresponds with the start of P.E.I.’s phase four, said Morrison.
Quebecers wishing to travel through P.E.I. to the Magdalen Islands ferry in Souris must bring a form from Quebec to present at the entrance to P.E.I. Also, at the screening station, they must show proof of a ferry reservation sailing in the next 24 hours.
Travellers will be given written information about self-isolation procedures and other public health measures at the P.E.I. screening checkpoint.
“The COVID-19 virus has not disappeared and we should proceed with caution, yet optimism,” said Morrison.
P.E.I.’s chief of nursing, Marion Dowling, said health services continue to reopen.
“Today services have reopened at some level within primary care, surgical services, endoscopy and ambulatory care at both Queen Elizabeth and Prince County Hospitals. (As well as) laboratory services across the province and diagnostic imaging services, including breast screening,” said Dowling.
Obstetrics and gynecology clinics as well as addictions and mental health have also increased their services, she said.
Patients needing blood collection services are asked to call ahead to make an appointment.
“Thank you for your patience in this as we adjust to these new processes, and please be patient and respect the processes that are required to keep everyone safe,” said Dowling.
Alison Jenkins is a local journalism initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government.
Posted by Prince Edward Island Government on Tuesday, 16 June 2020
