CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — As P.E.I. continues to see no new cases of COVID-19, the government has extended the province’s state of emergency.
Premier Dennis King made the announcement during a news conference this morning as part of regular updates on the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain).
King said this morning cabinet met and extended the state of emergency to June 14.
During the news conference, King also spoke about the decision announced last week to allow seasonal residents to start the application process to return to P.E.I.
King said he wanted to assure Islanders all decisions have been based on guidance from the chief public health office.
Seasonal residents are a population defined, known to the province and more likely to have support systems in place, King said.
Submissions begin June 1 and will be put through a risk assessment, which includes looking at factors including where they are coming from and what supports they will have while in self-isolation.
King said seasonal residents will also be tested before their 14-days of self-isolation ends.
He said he expect the first seasonal residents could begin to arrive around June 15.
Starting Monday, long-term care facilities will have a process in place to allow visitations.
Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison said there will be a maximum of two designated visitors per resident at long-term care centres.
During her remarks, Morrison also thanked Islanders for their messages of kindness and compassion.
Morrison said she got “goosebumps” when someone shared some of the messages from social media.
In her update, Morrison said that across Canada there have been more than 87,000 cases, although the trend is decreasing.
There have been more than 1,000 tests done in P.E.I. in the last week, she said.
Starting June 1, P.E.I. moves into phase three or loosening public health restrictions.
Within phase three, restaurants will be able to open again but Morrison said physical distancing between tables must be maintained.
The maximum number of patrons will be set at six per table.
Morrison said she is recommending the use of non-medical masks for staff and customers where physical distancing can’t be maintained.
She also asked people to limit activities that involve singing or wind and brass instruments.
Addressing the move to allow seasonal residents in the province, Morrison said letting them start applying is another step and doing it correctly will take time.
There will be no influx of seasonal residents next week, she said.
Morrison said measures will be “stringent” and continue to be evaluated.
The first phase will be seasonal residents from Atlantic Canada and then expand from there.
Morrison said the province is only processing 500 applications a week for seasonal residents to come to P.E.I.
This will be the same as others who have come to P.E.I. and successfully completed self-isolation, she said.
More details to come later online and in our print and e-editions
