CANADA, May 5 - Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, strongly recommends that individuals continue to wear masks in indoor settings and reminds Islanders that masks are still required in high risk areas effective May 6, 2022.

“Masks are an important layer of protection, especially for those at risk of severe outcomes. We know COVID-19 and its variants will not take a break as we transition into summer; however, we expect that case numbers and hospitalizations will continue to improve over the coming weeks. Wearing a mask does matter and we strongly recommend that Islanders wear masks in indoor places, especially in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained.”

- Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison

On May 6, masks will continue to be required in high risk areas such as hospitals, long term and community care homes, early learning child care centers, public transit and for students and staff in K-12 when they are on buses and when not seated in class. The requirement to wear masks in high risk areas will be reassessed every two weeks and changes will be made based on the epidemiology of COVID-19 and its variants.

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to be required to isolate for 7 days (if fully vaccinated) or 10 days (if not fully vaccinated). Similar to the requirement to wear masks in high risk settings, the legal requirement to isolate will be assessed every two weeks.

As of May 1, 97.6 per cent of Island residents over the age of 12 years received at least one dose of vaccine and 94.6 per cent were fully vaccinated. 69 per cent of children ages 5 to 11 had one dose of vaccine and 54 per cent have two doses. 

Parents of unvaccinated children between the ages of 5 and 11 years should make an appointment for their children to receive a first dose. In addition to any immediate illness, children are vulnerable to developing long COVID-19 and the long-term health impacts of post-viral illnesses are not yet known. Island children 5 to 11 years of age can receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a Health PEI vaccination clinic.

Anyone 12 years of age and older can get their primary series of the COVID-19 vaccination, first and second dose, at a Health PEI vaccination clinic or at one of the many partner pharmacies across the province. Approximately 48,000 Island residents age 12 and over are now eligible for a first booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Booster doses are being offered at clinics and partner pharmacies. Adolescents 12 to 17 years of age can receive a booster dose six months after completing their primary series of the vaccine, and Islanders 18 years of age and older can receive a booster dose five and half months after completing their primary series. 

A second booster dose is now recommended for Islanders 70 years of age and older, those living in long-term and community care facilities, and Indigenous adults 18 years of age and older to provide extended protection against COVID-19. The second booster dose should be administered four to six months after receiving the first booster dose. 

Islanders recently infected with COVID-19 should wait three months after onset of symptoms or testing positive before getting a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose. 

Individuals who are isolating and require supports are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 to be directed to nearby community support systems, or provincial government service offices.  This assistance includes help with securing food, personal prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and other emergency situations. The program operates on a self-referral basis.  More information is available here. 

For information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including vaccine facts, immunization data and booking an appointment, visit: COVID-19 Vaccines. For answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit: Answers to Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions.

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:

• Get vaccinated
• Wear a properly fitted, three-layer mask in indoor public places 
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• 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
• 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

Media Contacts: Morgan Martin     Health and Wellness mxmartin@gov.pe.ca