The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health says they received some 500 requests for exemptions to the travel ban over the last couple of days.

Concerns have been raised about the timeliness of the exemption requests as in some cases people are rushing to get home before their loved one passes away.

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says it will take some time for people to get through those, but the process has been streamlined.

She says they are hopeful people will be able to receive a response in 48-hours or so.

Dr. Fitzgerald asks that people apply for an exemption as soon as they know they need one, if at all possible.

She says the exemption requests are being screened, and anything that appears to be more urgent is being dealt with first.

Dr. Fitzgerald says they will not be granting exemption wishes to those coming for tourism or a visit, or for anyone who is not re-locating long-term.