Public Health has modified isolation measures for rotational workers who work at Canadian sites outside the province in recognition of the hardships they face.
Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says the modifications effective today, have been made to try to reduce the risk posed by new variants.
She was blunt in acknowledging that the recent outbreak of the B117 or UK variant of COVID-19 was what led her to introduce testing when rotational workers arrive back in the province.
Dr. Fitzgerald says what they’ve learned is that the variant can spread very rapidly within a household, and they want to make sure that people entering the province aren’t infected.
Starting today, rotational workers may book a test on arrival. While awaiting those results they must isolate away from their family until they receive a negative result.
If their first test is negative and they have no symptoms, they can interact with household family members, but should wear a mask. They may also go for walks, spend time at their cabins, or attend medical appointments as long as they remain asymptomatic and identify themselves as rotational workers. However, they are not permitted to enter public spaces.
On the seventh day, they may book a second test. If still asymptomatic and they receive a negative test, rotational workers may enter public spaces such as grocery stores—but not high-risk locations such as long-term or personal care homes, and must not visit crowded spaces or attend gatherings.
Finally, a third negative test on days 11 to 13 will permit them to end the newly-modified self-isolation on the 14th day following their arrival.
Full details are available at the Government of NL’s COVID-19 website.
One New Confirmed Case, 12 New Recoveries
There is one new confirmed case of COVID-19 in the province today.
It involves a man in his 40s in the Eastern Health region and is travel-related.
Public Health is asking passengers who travelled on WestJet Flight 3428 from Halifax to St. John’s on Monday, March 8, to arrange for testing. Passengers can complete the online self-assessment tool on the government’s website or call 811.
There have been 12 new recoveries leaving 57 active cases in the province.
There are three people in hospital with the virus.