COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Saturday, July 4

P.E.I. has reported 3 new cases of COVID-19, the first since April 28. Also, the Atlantic bubble is open and thousands of regional residents have been allowed to enter P.E.I. for the first time in months.

Three new cases reported, and Atlantic bubble brings reunions

CBC News · Posted: Jul 04, 2020 9:40 AM EDT | Last Updated: July 4, 2020

Dr. Heather Morrison says the 3 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed today are all Islanders and all essential workers. (CBC)

During an unscheduled briefing Saturday afternoon, Prince Edward Island's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison announced that the province has 3 new cases of COVID-19.

All three are Island residents and essential workers: a man in his 50s, and two people in their 20s.

One of the younger patients is a female worker at Whisperwood Villa, a long-term care facility in Charlottetown. She had been experiencing symptoms and is now recovering.

Morrison said visits to the facility have now been halted, and staff and residents are all being tested.

The new cases bring the province's COVID-19 total to 30; the most recent previous case had been reported more than two months ago, on April 28.

As of late Friday morning, the province had distributed 5,200 forms for arrivals on Friday and Saturday. (Brian Higgins/CBC)

Bubble visitors arrive

It's also the first weekend of the Atlantic bubble, and thousands are expected to enter P.E.I. over the weekend.

Pandemic restrictions were lifted for Atlantic Canadians at 12:01 a.m. Friday, allowing movement among the four provinces without a two-week quarantine.

However, each province still has checkpoints and rules for entry.

Travellers destined for P.E.I. have to fill out a declaration form before entering the province to prove they live in Atlantic Canada.

As of late Friday morning, the province had distributed 5,200 forms for arrivals on Friday and Saturday.

There were countless reunions across the Island Friday as families came together to celebrate the bubble.

Island parents are raising concerns about missing details in the provincial school plans for September. (Nancy Russell/CBC)

Other COVID-19 developments

The provincial government released information on what schools will look like in the fall due to COVID-19, but some Island parents are raising concerns about missing details.

The P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation's seven sites are now open with new protocols in place adhering to COVID-19 restrictions. The sites are Green Park Shipbuilding Museum and Yeo House, Acadian Museum, Eptek Art and Culture Centre, Orwell Corner Historic Village, Beaconsfield Historic House, Basin Head Fisheries Museum and Elmira Railway Museum.

And one woman is using COVID-19 as a reason to visit every lighthouse on the Island.

Also in the news

It's never easy to be in recovery from addiction, but the pandemic has brought new challenges.
The Atlantic business community is concerned about the long-term implications of the suspension of some of Air Canada's flight routes in the region.
A legislative committee rejected proposed changes to P.E.I.'s Emergency Measures Act.
P.E.I. lifeguard services will be supervising more Island beaches this year. They will also have an added duty — asking people to spread out if they get too close to other beachgoers to maintain physical distancing guidelines put in place due to COVID-19.

Further resources

Here is information for living with the COVID-19 pandemic on P.E.I. — including information on government relief programs, physical distancing measures, and essential health services.
Here is a chart tracking COVID-19 numbers and a timeline of COVID-19-related events on P.E.I.