The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has announced the easing of some isolation restrictions due to the ongoing evolution of the virus.
Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says there have been no drastically different sub-lineages of the Omicron variant that first emerged in late 2021.
That means some of the restrictions surrounding self-isolation for those with COVID symptoms and who have to test have changed.
Effective Monday, if you develop symptoms, and you test negative but your symptoms persist, you can test again in 48 hours. That is a reduction from the original 72 hours previously required.
In the meantime, anyone with symptoms, regardless of a positive or negative test result, must isolate at home until the symptoms have resolved for 24 hours. People should also wear a mask in public until 10 days after the symptoms first started, even if the symptoms have resolved.
The Moderna bivalent vaccine, which protects against the Omicron variants, is now being administered throughout the province, but the new Pfizer bivalent will be available starting Friday, October 28 for anyone 12 years of age or older.
Both vaccines are equally effective says Fitzgerald and people are being asked to accept whichever vaccine is offered.