It’s being described as another step forward in living with COVID-19.
The province is moving to a modified Alert Level 3 on Monday, while fully-vaccinated travellers will no longer have to isolate on arrival in Newfoundland and Labrador as of 12:01 Saturday morning, although they will be required to continue taking rapid tests for the first five days after landing.
Dr. Fitzgerald announces the new travel requirements will come into effect 12:01 a.m. on Saturday @VOCMNEWS
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) February 3, 2022
The modified Alert Level 3 will allow restaurants, gyms, and fitness clubs to operate with up to 50 per cent capacity. Bars can open with up to 50 per cent capacity but dance floors will not reopen and patrons and staff will have to wear masks except when eating or drinking while seated.
Cinemas, and bingo halls will also be able to reopen with 50 people or 25 per cent capacity per room, whichever is less. However, there is no food or drink permitted.
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says further changes could be announced in another two weeks.
If all goes well, restrictions will be further lifted on February 21st, which is in just over two weeks @VOCMNEWS
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) February 3, 2022
If all goes well restrictions will be eased further on February 21. Fitzgerald is urging patience and cautions “we need to pace ourselves, the last thing anyone wants is to have a setback in the final mile because we moved too fast.”
Fitzgerald says they have not seen a significant uptick in positive cases one week into the reopening of schools. She says while frustrating, restrictions are in place to protect the vulnerable and to maintain hospital capacity.
She says they want to make sure that health care capacity is there for those who need it.
The number of deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador directly linked to COVID-19 has risen to 45.
The latest death is in the Eastern Health region.
Health Minister John Haggie says they are only reporting deaths directly related to COVID-19, or where COVID was a significant contributing factor.
There are 198 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 being reported today.
108 in Eastern Health, 42 in Central, 41 in Western and seven in Labrador-Grenfell Health.
With 372 new recoveries there are 1,720 active cases in the province, including twenty people in hospital – seven of whom are in critical care.
The province is changing the way COVID-19 picked up through rapid tests are reported.
Right now, a student who tests positive for COVID-19 through a rapid test is asked to isolate, but does not need to be reported. Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says there has not been a significant change in COVID numbers now that students are back to in-class learning.
She says they’re working on a solution to allow those with a positive rapid test in the last ten days to report their result. Details will be announced in the coming days. A new flow-chart has also been developed for those who are considered a close contact of a positive case and how to proceed.
Close contact of someone who has COVID-19? This flow chart will help you understand what you should do now.
⚠ Note: If you develop symptoms at any point, you are considered a positive case. Isolate immediately & follow this flow chart for guidance.
📃 https://t.co/A3joWPFEE5 pic.twitter.com/XU6VDhK4Vx
— Government of NL (@GovNL) January 24, 2022
