Charlottetown, PE (May 27, 2021) –The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed the provincial government’s announcement of a re-open plan entitled Moving Forward, a five-step plan starting June 6.
“Today’s announcement provides a sense of hope for businesses and Islanders alike as we welcome the Province of PEI’s five-step Moving Forward plan,” said Chamber Interim-CEO Nicole Bellefleur. “This plan will facilitate a balanced and measured approach so that our province, and its businesses, can safely return to normal and plan accordingly.”
Businesses have acted diligently in ensuring public health measures have been followed and have worked hard despite the high level of uncertainty they have faced. This re-opening plan gives businesses, particularly those in the hardest-hit sectors, the opportunity to better prepare for the summer months with the likelihood of increased visitation from inside the Atlantic provinces.
While the Chamber welcomes the provincial government’s plan, it looks forward to seeing clearer instructions on proof of vaccinations. The Chamber also encourages all eligible Islanders to get vaccinated if they have yet to do so.
“Getting as many Islanders vaccinated as quickly as possible will be key to getting out of this pandemic safely and for our economy and society to move towards the road to recovery,” said Interim-CEO Bellefleur. “The Moving Forward plan provides a solid framework, and the Chamber looks forward to seeing the plan progress through the five steps as targeted.”
The plan is contingent on the level of disease being low and transmission being controlled, along with reaching 3 vaccination targets. The vaccination targets are as follows:
- Target 1 – first of two doses of vaccine received by 80% of PEI residents aged 12 and older, and second of two doses of vaccine received by 80% of vulnerable populations (ex: long-term care residents).
- Target 2 – second of two doses of vaccine received by 50% of PEI residents aged 12 and older.
- Target 3 – second of two doses of vaccine received by 80% of PEI residents aged 12 and older.
The five steps, starting June 6, 2021, include:
- Step 1, June 6
- Organized gatherings:
- Weddings and funerals up to 150 people maximum, in cohorts of 50
- Individuals can host up to 50 people with a reviewed operational plan for special occasions (ex: backyard wedding)
- Businesses and NGOs:
- Table size at restaurants increases to 20
- No more restricted closing time for in-person consumption of food and beverage
- Organized gatherings:
- Step 2, June 27 (vaccination target 1 reached)
- Travel within Atlantic Canada:
- Permitted with self-declaration form
- No isolation for fully or partially vaccinated travellers
- Shortened isolation and testing for unvaccinated travellers
- Domestic travel outside Atlantic Canada:
- Under eligible travel streams with pre-travel approval
- Shortened isolation and testing for all travellers
- Testing at points of entry
- Travel within Atlantic Canada:
- Step 3, July 18
- Public Health Measures:
- Some easing of non-medical mask requirements
- Organized Gatherings:
- Organized gatherings up to 200 people outdoors or 100 people indoors hosted by a recognized business or organization
- Multiple gatherings with pre-approved operational plan
- Weddings and funerals up to 200 people max, following cohort limits
- Sport and Recreation:
- Activities that require close contact (ex: sports, performance, etc.) are limited to a single cohort of 100 per day
- Public Health Measures:
- Step 4, August 8 (vaccination target 2 reached)
- Travel within Atlantic Canada:
- No change from Step 2
- Domestic Travel outside of Atlantic Canada:
- Under eligible travel streams with pre-travel approval
- No isolation for fully vaccinated travellers
- Shortened isolation and testing for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers
- Travel within Atlantic Canada:
- Step 5, September 12 (vaccination target 3 reached)
- Public Health Measures:
- Some public health measures will continue for certain sectors and activities
- Easing of physical distancing measures
- Easing of non-medical mask requirements
- Family and Friends:
- No personal gathering limits
- Organized Gatherings:
- No organized gatherings limits
- Sport and Recreation:
- No restrictions
- Business and NGOs:
- No restrictions.
- Education and Child Care:
- Full-time classroom learning in K-12, with the possibility of targeted cohorting based on vaccination
- Full-time classroom learning in post-secondary, possibly based on vaccination, with online learning options
- Long-term Care:
- Unrestricted visitation if vaccination threshold is maintained
- Public Health Measures:
For more information on the provincial government’s Moving Forward Plan and its steps, click here.
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About the Chamber:
The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce connects business and community and is PEI’s largest business advocacy organization with more than 1,000 members. For more information on the Chamber visit www.charlottetownchamber.com.
Media Contact:
Sam MacPhail
Policy and Communications Manager
(902) 978-0058