Premier Dennis King and Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, have announced that Prince Edward Island will move out of the Modified Red Level Phase and back to the Circuit Breaker at midnight tonight. 

Effective midnight tonight, until March 14 at 8:00 am, the Circuit Breaker measures will include:

• Each household can identify up to six (6) consistent individuals to gather with indoors  or outdoors, physical distancing should be maintained; 
• Organized gatherings are limited to 50 people for activities including concerts, worship services and movie theatres, no additional cohorts are permitted. Physical distancing should be maintained;
• Weddings and funerals will continue to be for up to 50 people (plus officiants), but no wedding or funeral receptions are permitted;
• Supervised gyms and fitness facilities can operate at up to 50% of standard operating capacity with additional cleaning;
• Museums and libraries can operate at 50% capacity;
• Rehearsals and individual or team practices  are permitted in accordance with gathering limits, but games, tournaments and competitions are not permitted;
• Retail stores, markets and craft fairs can operate at 50% of standard operating capacity, provided entrances and exits are monitored to ensure that capacity is not exceeded;
• In-room dining is permitted, in accordance with the gathering limit of 50 people, with a maximum table size of six (6) and a 10:00 pm closing time; 
• Personal services may operate on an appointment basis provided a non-medical mask is worn at all times by staff and patrons;
• Child care centres may continue to operate at full capacity; 
• Full time classroom learning K-12 can resume, with public health measures in place; and 
• Long-term care can continue to have up to three (3) partners in care and up to six (6) designated visitors.

Dr. Morrison also announced one new case of COVID-19 in the province. The individual is a woman in her 20s, a close contact of a previously announced case. She has been in self-isolation and is experiencing mild symptoms. 

There is one additional public exposure location in Summerside related to the cases:

• Scotia Bank (274 Water Street) 
  • Wednesday, February 17 between 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm
  • Thursday, February 18 between 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm 
  • Monday, February 22 between 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm 
  • Wednesday, February 24 between 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm 
  • Thursday, February 25 between 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm 

For a complete list of recent public exposure notifications, visit: Potential COVID-19 Exposures. Any additional exposures will be added to the provincial website and be posted on social media.
Between Saturday and end of day yesterday over 11,000 people were tested, approximately seven per cent of our population. 

Dr. Morrison is reminding all Islanders to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, and 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.

With one case recently recovered, Prince Edward Island currently has 22 active cases of COVID-19 and has had a total of 137 positive cases since the onset of the pandemic. For information about the province’s COVID-19 cases, visit: PEI COVID-19 Case Data 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 (link sends e-mail)