Prince Edward Island has become the first province in Atlantic Canada to set a date for ending pandemic-related travel restrictions for the rest of the country.
Dr. Heather Morrison, the province’s chief public health officer, said on Thursday that her team is aiming to reopen the province to Atlantic Canadian travellers on June 27 and to some Canadian travellers on Aug. 8.
She said there will be no travel streams or pre-travel approval for people coming to the island from Atlantic Canada. However, individuals will be required to complete a self-declaration form similar to last year.
At a COVID-19 briefing, she also noted that beginning Aug. 8 people travelling within Atlantic Canada who are fully or partially vaccinated will be required to test but will not need to self-isolate.
She expects the pre-approval requirement to be lifted on Sept. 12.
“This applies equally to islanders who are leaving or coming back…as well as visitors from Atlantic Canada,” Morrison said.
For those who have not been vaccinated, they will have a shortened self-isolation period. The length of it will be announced in mid-June.
“Everyone entering P.E.I will be tested at point of entry,” she said.
Morrison said the province has been successful in managing the pandemic. No one has died in P.E.I and over 50 per cent of the population have been immunized.
-With files from The Canadian Press