COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Tuesday, July 13

P.E.I.'s Green Party and NDP question changes to mask rules, and some businesses says the changes caught them off guard.

It's no longer mandatory to wear masks indoors, but it is strongly recommended for most

CBC News · Posted: Jul 13, 2021 6:07 AM EDT | Last Updated: July 13, 2021

In some places, such as Charlottetown Airport, masks are still required. (Kirk Pennell/CBC)

Some local businesses on P.E.I. say the province's decision to suddenly drop the mask requirements in indoor spaces caught them off guard.

Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker is disappointed with the province lifting the mask mandate. He said the government should have been more patient.

The NDP of P.E.I. is launching a social media campaign to reinstate the rules mandating masks be worn in indoor public places on P.E.I.

Holland College says masks are no longer required on campus when physical distancing can be maintained. However, the Charlottetown institution said, "we strongly recommend mask use if you are not fully vaccinated."

Some staff and customers will chose to continue wearing a mask while out in public indoors. (Jessica Doria-Brown/CBC)

P.E.I. restaurants are experimenting with how to respond to the dropping of mandatory mask rules.

Premier Dennis King announced at a briefing Friday the wearing of masks indoors is no longer mandatory, but it is still strongly recommended for those not fully vaccinated. At the same briefing, King said residents of Atlantic Canada with a PEI Pass will no longer be tested at the border.

Islanders reacted with elation and apprehension to the mask announcement.

P.E.I. has no active cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday, and has seen a total of 208.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada:

Nova Scotia reported one new COVID-19 case on Tuesday, and has 31 active cases.
New Brunswick reported no new cases on Tuesday.
Newfoundland and Labrador reported no new cases on Tuesday and has 20 active cases.

Also in the news

An Islander now working with a pandemic research team at Oxford University says P.E.I.'s decision to prioritize young front-line workers for vaccination was "quite a smart move."
It's never easy for P.E.I. restaurants to find enough cooks, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it worse.
Access to walk-in clinics in the province became more difficult when the pandemic started, and it is still a challenge.

These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

People over 12.
Islanders over 18 can book an appointment for Moderna vaccine at a pharmacy.

You can find more information about how to get a vaccine here.

Further resources

Here is a chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March 2020, and a timeline of pandemic events.
Here is a look at how coronavirus is spreading across Canada.

Reminder about symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

Fever.
Cough or worsening of a previous cough.
Possible loss of taste and/or smell.
Sore throat.
New or worsening fatigue.
Headache.
Shortness of breath.
Runny nose.