Moving Forward plan accelerates for PEI

Premier Dennis King and Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, have announced changes to the Moving Forward reopening plan for PEI.

“The decision to advance our Moving Forward reopening plan is a testament to the controls and measures we have put in place, the high level of adherence of public health measures by Islanders, and our COVID-19 immunization program heading in the right direction. Our plan was created in a way to adjust steps as factors change, and with additional doses of vaccine arriving, we have the confidence to make changes. Decisions to get us to today have been consistent and always about finding the balance between keeping our province safe while taking cautious steps back to normal.” 

- Premier Dennis King

As of Thursday, June 17, vaccinated Island residents and people from within Atlantic Canada, who plan to travel to PEI this summer can apply for a PEI Pass. The PEI Pass is a document that verifies you are fully or partially vaccinated and that you are not required to self-isolate in PEI. The pass can be used multiple times and will expedite screening at PEI points of entry. To be eligible, you must have received your first dose at least 21 days ago, with the exception of those age 12 to 15 who are eligible any time after their first vaccine (until July 31). Each vaccinated person age 12 and over can apply for a PEI Pass to be exempt from isolation in PEI following travel within Atlantic Canada, parents must complete the application for children under 18. PEI residents travelling within Atlantic Canada and those from within Atlantic Canada travelling to PEI should apply for a PEI pass. Those who are not planning to travel to PEI until early July or later, should wait a few days to apply for a PEI pass to lessen the initial volume of submissions. 

“Protecting the health of Island residents has always been our top priority, and at a population level, immunization is our best protection against COVID-19. The Moving Forward plan is based on meeting vaccine targets, low levels of COVID-19 and controlled transmission,” said Dr. Morrison. “The balanced, measured approach that got us this far will be the same approach that will allow us to transition out of this pandemic.” 

Effective, June 17, the self-isolation period will be reduced from 14 days to eight days for those travelling to PEI from within Canada (subject to a negative test on day 8). This date was originally June 27 but is now being advanced to June 17.

Effective June 23, vaccinated individuals from within Atlantic Canada approved under one of the travel streams (Family Connections, compassionate, exceptional travel, seasonal residents) will be permitted to submit their vaccine record and if approved, will not need to self-isolate on arrival to PEI. They will require a negative test soon after they arrive in the province. 

Beginning June 27, partially or fully vaccinated individuals travelling to PEI from within Atlantic Canada who have a PEI Pass will not have to isolate, subject to testing at points of entry, and no travel streams will be required. Vaccinated Island residents will be able to travel within Atlantic Canada and not have to self-isolate when they return to PEI, subject to testing. Unvaccinated visitors from Atlantic Canada and unvaccinated Islanders will be required to complete a declaration and isolate for eight days with tests on entry and on day 8. 

Permanent residents from the Magdalen Islanders will be able to travel to PEI, subject to the same measures as others from Atlantic Canada. Vaccinated Island residents will be able to travel to the Magdalen Islanders and not have to self-isolate when they return home, subject to testing. 

Effective July 28, Canadians can enter PEI if they have been approved for a PEI pass. Individuals who have received two doses of vaccine will be exempt from self-isolation, and those who have one dose or are unvaccinated can do so by following the 8 day self-isolation requirement. Canadians from outside the Atlantic Provinces can begin applying for a PEI pass on July 7. 
PEI remains on track to achieve the goal of immunizing 80 per cent of eligible Island residents age 12 and over with one dose by the end of June. 

Long-term care and community care guidance will ease throughout the Moving Forward plan. On June 27, the number of designated visitors permitted will increase from six to 10. Residents may visit community services, like hair salons, if they wear a mask. Vaccinated partners in care or designated visitors may visit with vaccinated residents outdoors without masks. On July 18, there will be no limit of designated visitors, residents may visit public places, such as restaurants, following public health measures, and vaccinated partners in care and designated visitors may visit loved ones in their room without wearing masks. 

As of Saturday, June 12, a total of 116, 691 doses have been administered, including 17,326 second doses. Over 70.7 per cent of the eligible population have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 12.3 per cent have received two doses. 

Individuals who received their first dose at a Health PEI Clinic or a pharmacy, will be contacted with an appointment for their second dose, they should not attempt to book their second appointment themselves. 

As always, Islanders are urged to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even after a previous negative test, and to self-isolate until the results come back. Islanders are also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Prince Edward Island currently has no active cases of COVID-19 and has had 206 positive cases since the onset of the pandemic. Information about the province’s COVID-19 cases is available online.

Islanders are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and every Island resident 12 and older who wants to be immunized will have an opportunity to receive the vaccine in 2021. Information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out and appointment booking information is available online.

Backgrounder: 

The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to monitor the pandemic situation and prepare for all COVID-19 related impacts to the province, including health, social and economic. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.

Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• Wear a mask in closed, indoor public spaces
• Physical distance - stay two meters (6 feet) apart
• Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
• Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops
• Visit a drop-in-clinic to be tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms

Media Contact:
Samantha Hughes
Health and Wellness
shughes@gov.pe.ca