It will be a disappointment to many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living away, but travel restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will remain in effect through Christmas.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says the pandemic continues to rage on outside the province, and the reason why cases here remain low is the travel ban.
She says the reality is that the country is still in the midst of a global pandemic.
“It would be the wrong decision right now for us to open up non-essential travel as other jurisdictions tighten their restrictions in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Fitzgerald.
She understands the longing for families to reconnect at Christmas, she’s asking people to consider that Christmas will be different this year and those reconnections will have to wait for a time when it is safer to do so.
(St. John’s International Airport, VOCM file photo.)
Those who receive exemptions to travel to the province over Christmas will be required to complete 14 days of self-isolation, and the Chief Medical Officer is advising those travellers to consider that in their plans.
Other guidance includes restricting Christmas get-togethers to a maximum of 20 people, and those gatherings should be smaller if social distancing cannot be maintained.
Some Christmas traditions can be practiced but will look different, says Dr. Fitzgerald.
Caroling is allowed as long as the carolers remain outdoors and maintain a six-foot distance from each other and others. Mummering is limited to households of close contacts.
Santa Claus has been designated an essential worker and will be allowed into Newfoundland and Labrador.
Specific guidance on Christmas will be on the province’s COVID page in the coming days.
No New Cases
There have been no new cases of the virus identified in NL since yesterday’s update. Seven cases remain active, while the NL total remains at 298.
55,874 people have been tested for COVID-19 to date.
