P.E.I. closes dining rooms, gyms among other new COVID-19 restrictions

P.E.I. announced new restrictions Tuesday — including strict limits to personal gatherings, the continued shutdown of schools, and no inside dining at restaurants — as COVID-19 continues to spread across the Island.

The new restrictions take effect at midnight and are currently scheduled to remain in place until at least Jan. 31.

The news came as Dr. Heather Morrison announced that eight people are in hospital — including four in the intensive care unit — being treated for COVID-19. P.E.I. has a total of 20 ICU beds. Morrison said the new restrictions are intended to help prevent P.E.I. from reaching its capacity.

"That's why these aren't easy decisions … it's really just gut-wrenching and I know I was hoping, the premier was hoping we all were hoping we wouldn't be in this situation," she said.

"This will not be long term, but I think it's what we need to do now."

New restrictions that take effect midnight, Jan. 18, include:

• Personal gatherings are limited to a single household plus up to two other support people where needed. People living alone can join another household.
• Single households may participate in outdoor activities.
• No organized gatherings are permitted.
• Funeral and wedding ceremonies are permitted with up to 10 people, with officiant.
• Gyms and all recreations facilities will be closed.
• No in-room dining at restaurants. Take-out, drive-through and delivery is permitted.
• Schools will remain closed to in-class learning.
• Retail stores can operate at 50 per cent capacity with physical distancing.
• Isolation measures will still be four days after coming into P.E.I., with testing. 

Officials are meeting with childcare operators about future plans. An announcement is expected this week. 

Unlike the shutdown early in the pandemic barbershops, salons and some other personal services can remain open.

"It's not the same as March of 2020, but we're trying to base it on the information we have about where the transmission is occurring," Morrison said.

The reality is if we are out in the community we must be prepared to get COVID-19.​​​— Dr. Heather Morrison

Morrison said she understands it will be hard for some to hear about the new restrictions. She said those restrictions could be eased before Jan. 31 if the COVID-19 situation improves.

"We are seeing unprecedented spread in the province," she said. "The reality is if we are out in the community we must be prepared to get COVID-19."

Morrison and Premier Dennis King offered condolences to the families of the two people who died last week from COVID-19.

"Those losses on Friday should bring home why we're doing what we're doing," King said.

Morrison also announced 407 new cases of COVID-19, bringing total of active cases to 2,214.

P.E.I. has averaged 231 cases a day over the past seven days. The test positivity rate is almost 20 per cent.

'It's not the end of the world'

Chris MacPhee, co-owner of Atlantic Fitness, said he understands why his business must temporarily shut down. He said the health of his staff and customers is the top priority.

But a closure longer than two weeks could have an impact on his business. At the start of the pandemic, his business closed for two months.

"It's not the end of the world for two weeks … we are a 24-hour option here at our club," he said.

"This does give us a chance to really sanitize and do some maintenance and things like that. Over the next two weeks, we'll be able to do a few things that way. So it's a positive thing. We'll be able to kind of recharge the batteries and move on."