According to the Premier, the earliest date that Newfoundland and Labrador could officially join the Atlantic Bubble is April 9. The goal is to re-enter the bubble by April 19 at the latest.

This province’s participation is contingent on the continued easing of COVID restrictions, which Furey says means the entire province will have to be under Alert Level 2.

With two weeks between changes in Alert levels, the earliest possible entry would be around April 9, says Furey. However, he cautions, nothing is set in stone.

It all depends on the epidemiology in all four provinces. He says the province is moving in the right direction right now, but everyone must move forward in accordance with the advice of Dr. Fitzgerald.

Furey says it was important to get a decision made on the bubble sooner rather than later.

The other Atlantic Premiers expressed a “degree of urgency” in getting a decision made according to Furey, as tourism operators and small businesses need to start making plans about the summer season.