Monday was the first day of relaxed public health restrictions in Newfoundland and Labrador for the first time in two months, but don’t think things are going to change much.
You can go to a garden store or walk in a municipal park, but everything else is pretty much business as usual — and that means keeping your distance, washing your hands and staying home for the most part.
Even allowing social gatherings for up to 10 people is meant for organized events such as funerals, burials and weddings.
“The expansion to 10 people does not mean people can now host backyard or dinner parties, or large family gatherings. That time will come, but it is not here yet,” Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said Monday at the first daily COVID-19 briefing of the week.
There have been no new cases to report for the last three days, and one untraceable case last week was not enough to derail plans.
“We do feel there has been good control with no transmission in that case, which is why we allowed to go ahead with Level 4,” Fitzgerald said.
“I know the restriction of personal freedom we are all experiencing is difficult and staying home, for many of us who have been quite accustomed to a busy lifestyle, has been quite an adjustment,” Fitzgerald told a lockdown-weary public.
She encouraged everyone to get outside and enjoy themselves as much as possible, while keeping the standard two-metre distance from others.
Health Minister Dr. John Haggie echoed the medical officer’s concerns, saying he feels a sense of momentum building when the pace has to remain slow.
“We need always to have in mind there will be a second wave, and the health-care system has to be in a position to respond to that.”
Haggie said even countries that appeared to be a model of restraint a month ago, such as Singapore, South Korea and Japan, have found themselves in trouble again.
“We need to pace ourselves, because if we run, we’ll trip.”
Business assistance
Premier Dwight Ball welcomed a new initiative for medium and big businesses announced Monday by the federal government.
The Large Employer Emergency Financial Facility offers support for businesses with annual revenues of $300 million or more. This includes the Business Credit Availability Program which provides loans and loan guarantees up to $60 million and $80 million respectively.
Ball said more details will be available within the next couple of days.
Meanwhile, applications continue to flow in from non-residents looking for exemptions to the ban on entry to the province.
There have been 2,000 requests since the ban was placed last week. To streamline the process, applicants can now submit requests online at gov.nl.ca/covid-19/.
The main category of request is relocation — people needing to come here for a job, people retiring, and students moving back after completing school. The next largest category is people wanting to return to provide care for a loved one.
Responding to questions about a protest on the weekend by fish harvesters unhappy with the way their union is treating them, Haggie said any sort of legal action based on a violation of health measures is up to the police.
The police did not lay any charges, even though dozens of fishermen stood close together at the event.
“I think on the issue of enforcement, we heard clearly last week and even earlier that the RNC and the RCMP felt that they needed some clarity provided by the legislature around what their abilities would be on the special measures orders,” Haggie said. “My understanding now is having gone through that debate and the public debate. I have no feedback suggesting officers can’t do anything, so it’s an operational issue.”
As for the dispute itself, Ball said the government would be willing to help.
“If there’s anything that we can actually do as a government to mediate and help them work through this process, yes, we’re more than willing to be able to do that.”
Finally, Ball tossed a bouquet at nurses to mark the beginning of Nurses Week.
“While we often shelter in place, nurses go to work to protect us, not knowing what they’ll face in the run of a day, let alone an hour. Actually, in a nursing life, things can change by the minute,” he said, adding that many nurses are physically distancing at home to protect their own families.
“They are truly the super heroes in our community.”
In other developments Monday:
• Almost 100,000 medical consults have been conducted virtually across the province since health orders were put in place.
• Canadian Blood Services is still looking for blood donations, and is taking bookings by phone. They can also provide information on organ and tissue donation.
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health care for The Telegram.
