P.E.I. enforcing new precautionary, temporary measures in response to COVID-19 Omicron variant

P.E.I. imposing new border measures P.E.I. is imposing new border measures in an effort to block the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

HALIFAX — Prince Edward Island's top doctor is enforcing new precautionary and temporary measures in response to the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.'s chief public health officer, says the situation with Omicron is evolving and she hopes to know more about how transmissible it is in the coming weeks.

"I am concerned about the potential impact of the new variant on long-term care and community care residents who are at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19," said Morrison. "Nationally, case rates among children age five to 11 years are the highest of any age group. The addition of these new measures is out of an abundance of caution as we continue to do what is necessary to protect the health of Islanders.”

Effective Friday, Dec. 3 at 8 a.m. until early January, the following measures will be in place:

Morrison says the new measures will be reevaluated in the new year.

ONE NEW CASE

Prince Edward Island also reported one new infection of COVID-19 on Thursday.

Morrison says the new case involves an individual in their 70s who recently travelled outside of P.E.I.

Contact tracing is now complete, and the individual is self-isolating.

There are currently 25 active cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I.

To date, the province has had 381 positive infections.

POSSIBLE COVID-19 FLIGHT EXPOSURE  

Island officials also announced a potential flight exposure on Thursday.

Anyone who travelled on the following flight should monitor closely for symptoms of COVID-19 and if any symptoms develop, visit a drop-in testing site.