The province could remain in Alert Level Two for an extended period.
The move to Alert Level One is dependent on the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine or treatment—something that is still a way off.
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald indicates that it will take some time to assess the situation under Alert Level Two with many businesses, travel restrictions, and organizations opening up. That doesn’t mean to say that other restrictions won’t be lifted or changed as things improve, says Fitzgerald.
The province’s regional health authorities are working on returning to normal operating capacity with the resumption of more procedures, including routine diagnostics.
Health Minister John Haggie says patients should start hearing from officials in the coming weeks about postponed appointments that are being rebooked. He says urgent and emergent cases have continued throughout the pandemic, unlike other jurisdictions like Ontario, which had to temporarily halt cancer surgeries and chemotherapy treatments.
The Minister states others under a specialist’s care have been monitored for changes to see if they need to be bumped up or moved.
Haggie discussed the situation with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association yesterday, and talks are ongoing with the Regional Health Authorities about increasing capacity.
Meanwhile, Haggie says the greatest area of concern remains acute care. Visitor restrictions remain in place because the risk to those in long-term care and acute care is greatest, according to Haggie.
Controversial Bar and Club Restrictions Not to be Lifted Yet, say Health Officials
Meanwhile, Dr. Fitzgerald says the possibility of the further lifting of restrictions surrounding the operation of bars and clubs in Alert Level Two is unlikely at this time, but they will consider possible changes in future.
The province announced yesterday that it will be joining an Atlantic Canadian Bubble as of July 3.
The George Street Association issued a release yesterday indicating that guidelines surrounding the operation of bars are too restrictive. They limit the number of people in an establishment at any given time, and dance and karaoke spaces will remain closed.
Fitzgerald says the guidelines were put in place to limit movement and the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.
She says as the province opens up to an Atlantic Bubble then there will be even more movement. Public health officials will look at how the lifting of restrictions is working before deciding how to move forward.