More restrictions to be eased Feb. 17 as provinces outlines 3-step COVID-19 transition plan

The P.E.I. government has approved a three-step plan to navigate through COVID-19 restrictions, Premier Dennis King said Tuesday during a news briefing.

Step 1 is scheduled for Feb. 17, with further relaxing of restrictions, including no isolation requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering P.E.I.

Step 2 will be mid-March and Step 3 is slated for April 7. This final step is when it is anticipated masking will no longer be required indoors, and there will be no limits on gatherings.

King said the plan is not a declaration that COVID-19 is over or that the province is saying "mission accomplished." Rather, he said, it is a way to phase out restrictions while encouraging people to get vaccinated and be careful.

Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.'s chief public health officer, announced P.E.I.'s 13th COVID-related death, a person over the age of 80.

There are 264 new COVID-19 cases on P.E.I., and 1,819 active. There are nine people in hospital being treated for COVID-19, including one in ICU.

Morrison said 93 per cent of Island residents over 12 have had two doses of vaccine. She said 65 per cent of children five to 11 have had one dose.

More to come.