ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Halloween is still more than two weeks away, but Newfoundland and Labrador health officials are already thinking about Christmas and what that could mean for families hoping to reunite here.
If current guidelines/restrictions remain, people who live within the other three provinces in the Atlantic bubble could travel to N.L. without needing to self-isolate, but exemptions are needed to travel from elsewhere in the country, and self-isolation periods would be required.
Speaking at Wednesday’s weekly COVID-19 briefing, Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said non-essential travel at Christmas — or more specifically, the impact of non-essential travel during the holiday season —is being considered by her department while it monitors the epidemiology of COVID-19 across Canada.
“I know that the pandemic has resulted in lengthy separations for some families and many have held out hope that they may be able to reunite during the holidays,” said Fitzgerald.
“Ultimately, we will make a decision in the coming weeks as we assess the risks to the health of our population.”
She refused to offer any speculation on what that may entail.
Fitzgerald also put in a plug for flu shots, which will roll out next week, adding that adult uptake will have to increase significantly to reach a goal of 85 per cent coverage.
“It is important to get the flu shot each year, but this year even more so, as we enter influenza season during a pandemic.”
