COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Wednesday, June 30

Immigrants face barriers when trying to get vaccinated, and P.E.I. moves forward its date for opening to Canadians from outside of Atlantic Canada.

Morrison named to Order of P.E.I.; alleged screening dodger escorted back to bridge

CBC News · Posted: Jun 30, 2021 5:53 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 30, 2021

P.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison, who has spent 16 months reminding Islanders to be patient and kind in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been named to the Order of Prince Edward Island. (Kirk Pennell/CBC)

Immigrants are facing particular barriers as they try to get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19, say Maritime groups supporting newcomers.

A New Brunswick man who allegedly bypassed screeners while driving onto the Island last weekend and then refused to give police his name has been escorted back to the Confederation Bridge after spending three days in jail.

Dr. Heather Morrison is one of three Islanders to be named to the Order of Prince Edward Island for the job she has done fighting COVID-19 in the past 16 months.

On Tuesday, Morrison had announced Prince Edward Island has its first new case of COVID-19 since June 3. The person had recently travelled outside Atlantic Canada, is asymptomatic and had been isolating as directed.

Visitors are required to stop at the COVID-19 checkpoint after arriving on P.E.I. A New Brunswick man has been charged after failing to do so. (Kirk Pennell/CBC)

Vaccinated visitors from outside Atlantic Canada who have a PEI Pass will be able to travel to the province 10 days earlier than planned, starting on July 18, without needing to isolate. Premier Dennis King announced the new date at the biweekly COVID-19 briefing also attended by Morrison.

Members of P.E.I.'s tourism industry are excited about the province's borders opening to travellers across Canada earlier than expected.

An Islander who heads the Canadian arm of Bono's non-governmental organization ONE says Canada has to pick up the pace when it comes to sharing its surplus vaccine doses with less-fortunate nations.

Golf courses are reporting an increase in bookings as P.E.I. opens up to Atlantic Canada.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada:

Nova Scotia reported four new cases on Wednesday. The province has 55 known active cases.
New Brunswick has three new cases, and has 24 active cases, the lowest since early January.
Newfoundland and Labrador has one new COVID-19 case and its active case total stays steady at five.

Also in the news

Heart and stroke patients have seen the benefits of virtual appointments introduced during the pandemic, and would like to see them continue.
Five visitors to the Island tested positive after rapid tests at the Borden-Carleton Confederation Bridge entry point, but PCR tests later came back negative.
Travellers from all of the Atlantic provinces can now enter P.E.I. without having to self-isolate, as long as they have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and receive a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival.
Two people were charged Saturday for failing to stop at the COVID-19 checkpoint in Borden-Carleton.
P.E.I.'s Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry is pleased that the gardens at the Fanningbank estate in Charlottetown will once again be open to the public to tour, starting Monday.

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.