ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier says they’re doubling down on efforts to keep casual visitors out of the province because it falls into the overall plan to keep current residents safe as public health restrictions are slowly relaxed.
The government put new legislation in place that allows police officers to pull over and detain non-residents who are suspected of not following health orders.
“This is not about jail or putting someone in a correctional centre,” Ball said. “As a matter of fact, some of the worst cases we’ve seen in the country are coming from correctional services.”
Ball said border controls, as well as increased testing and hospital capacity, are all key measures to have in place as closures and restrictions are lifted over the coming months.
But exemptions for non-essential visitors are being made.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr Janice Fitzgerald says several exemptions have already been granted. They include:
• People who have to come back to recuperate from treatment;
• Those who have lost their jobs, or are retiring and moving back;
• Students returning from school;
• Anyone needing to come back to care for a loved one.
Ball said Fitzgerald’s office has been juggling such applications all through the weekend.
“So far I’ve been very impressed with public health officials this weekend and into this week,” he said.
Back to business
Tuesday was the fourth straight day with no new cases to report in the province. There are officially only 15 known active cases.
Nonetheless, the first round of business openings under Alert Level 4 doesn’t come into effect until Monday.
Fitzpatrick met with business leaders Tuesday morning and said the government is happy to work with them to understand the parameters of opening up.
“We know your main priority right now is to reopen safely for the staff and public, and we will work with you to support you in doing so,” she said. “I am mindful that every measure we introduce will have consequences beyond the control of COVID-19. This pandemic has been about balancing these measures with the risks.”
She said the fate of public health still rests with the public’s adherence to measures that have worked so far.
“The public health measures we have so diligently practised are now embedded in our daily routines and must continue for the duration of this pandemic,” she said.
“Tough times never last, but strong and resilient people do. Hold fast, Newfoundland and Labrador.”
In other developments Tuesday:
• Ball admitted it was a mistake for the government to let an existing stash of personal protective equipment to expire, saying the practice henceforth will be to use the equipment and replace it with newer supplies.
• Some seniors are being sent to Pleasantview Towers in St. John’s as a precaution because it is easier to isolate residents in that long-term care facility, and units are not accessible to each other.
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health for The Telegram.
