P.E.I. not rejoining Atlantic bubble until at least Dec. 21

Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King announced Thursday afternoon in the province's legislature that the Islandwill not re-enter the Atlantic bubble until at least Dec.21.

The news came asP.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison's office confirmed one new case of COVID-19 on the Island.

P.E.I. leftthe bubble that included the Atlantic provinces of P.E.I., Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labradoron Nov. 23, as case numbersin Nova Scotia and New Brunswickrose.

On that day, P.E.I. closed its borders to everything but essential travel, as did Newfoundland and Labrador. Three days later, New Brunswick pulled out of the agreement, ending what remained of the bubble.

Starting on July 3, residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I and Newfoundland and Labrador were able to travel relatively freely across each other's borders without quarantining.But that began to change in mid-November.

Situation 'neutralizing a little bit'

"I've had conversations in the last couple of days with Dr. Morrison, and the epidemiology around the region seems to be neutralizing a little bit but certainly not to the extent where we feel comfortable moving beyond that," King said.

That's why he authorized atwo-week extension on the withdrawal from the bubble, which was set to expire Dec. 7at midnight.

Border restrictions will remain in place until Dec. 21, including therequirement for 14 days of isolation for most peopleif returningfrom off-Island travel.

Around the region on Thursday:

• Nova Scotiareported11 new cases of COVID-19;the province now has119 active cases.
• New Brunswickreportedsix new cases Thursday, and is dealing with 111 active cases.
• Newfoundland and Labrador had no new cases Thursday, and that province now has 29 active cases.

Rotational worker in 20s is latest case

King's announcement came shortly before Morrison's office announced one new case of COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island.

The person is a rotational worker in his 20s who has been self-isolating since his arrival on the Island from outside the Atlantic region. He tested positive during "routine testing."

Contact tracing is complete, Morrison said in a news release.

The new case means there have been 73 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed on Prince Edward Island since the pandemic began. Of those, five are considered active, with the rest recovered.

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