The jury is out on if, or when pet grooming operations can resume in Newfoundland and Labrador.
If all goes well, and if the number of new cases of COVID-19 remains low, the province is poised to start easing some public health restrictions come Monday.
It’s part of the province’s phased-in approach to the lifting of restrictions. Shifting to Alert Level 4, which comes into effect Monday, May 11, will be the very first step.
The resumption of some non-essential services and recreational activities will be limited to those that provide what’s considered to be the lowest risk possible.
That includes things like garden centres, law and accounting offices, and dog daycares—but not pet grooming operations.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says that’s because of the possibility of the spread of COVID-19 through animals.
She says the science on disease transmission in animals is still evolving. Public Health officials are looking at if, and how, pet grooming services can be safely provided.
