COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Thursday, May 27

Premier Dennis King and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison announced a five-step planfor reopening the province's borders Thursday. First, some restrictions will be eased on P.E.I., and by June 27 the Island should be ready to welcome visitors from the other Atlantic provinces, with rapid testing at borders.

King addressed concerns about long lineups to come to P.E.I. with that testing, as well as other details of the plan, in an interview with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.

Some Prince Edward Islanders will be getting second doses of COVID-19 vaccine sooner than expected. Morrison said public clinics are reducing the time between appointments from 16 weeks to 12 to 14 weeks.

The federal government has created a new fund to supportfestivals and events on P.E.I. through another summer of pandemic restrictions. It will be administered locally by the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I.

With this summer's tourism season uncertain, so are the prospects for students looking for summer jobs.

Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines at 12 ofP.E.I.'s pharmacies are now available to all eligible adults.

An unusual but remarkable season has come to an end for the Charlottetown Islanders.

There have been 200cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. and13are considered active. There have been no deaths and two hospitalizations.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic region:

• Nova Scotia reported 33new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, continuing a downward trend. It has 638active cases.
• Newfoundland and Labrador reported six new cases Thursday. It has 89active cases.
• Nine new caseswere confirmedin New Brunswick. It now has 137active cases.

Also in the news

• Businesses in eastern P.E.I. are keen to see the ferries reopened to non-commercial traffic.
• Many Canadians relying on employment insurance this year are in for a "rude awakening"come September, says P.E.I. Sen.Diane Griffin. That's when some measures meant to ease people off the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and onto EIare set to expire.
• P.E.I. National Park staff are looking forward to visitation numbers returning to something closer to normal this summer..

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

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

You can find more information about how to get a vaccinehere.

Further resources

• Here isa chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March 2020, and a timelineof pandemic events.
• Here is a look at how coronavirus isspreading 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.

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