The candidates are off and running for the Feb. 13 provincial election.

On Saturday, the campaigning began in earnest with socially-distanced door-knocking and candidate appearances at the St. John’s Farmers’ Market.

Party workers have also been busy erecting the telltale signs in all the usual high-traffic areas since the writ was dropped on Friday.

The three major parties also released updated candidate lists, with only the Tories fielding a full slate of 40 as of Sunday. The Liberals are expected to have a full complement once the call for nominations closes in the district of Lake Melville on Monday. As of noon Sunday, the NDP had representation in 20 districts.

Meanwhile, NL Alliance Leader Graydon Pelley has been forced to suspend his campaign after being taken to hospital Saturday night.

It’s since been revealed that the candidate for Humber-Gros Morne had to undergo emergency surgery. The party says Pelley will remain on the sidelines pending the outcome of his procedure and recovery time.