Public Health Measures Guidance - October 5th 2021

Submitted by Administrator on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 10:10

The full document signed by Dr. Heather Morrison can be found at: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/sites/default/files/publications/covid...

This document includes Bingo halls etc.

As of October 5, 2021, proof-of-vaccination is required for entrance to discretionary activities and events.  Find out more at PEI Vax Pass Program.

Guidance for individuals

  • Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you are eligible.
  • Practice physical distancing of 2m/6ft, where possible, with people outside of your family and friends.
  • Stay home when you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (even if the symptoms are mild).
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Wear a mask in indoor public places.

Non-medical masks are mandatory in indoor public places. Exemptions to mandatory masks include, but are not limited to: children under the age of two years; children under the age of five years who will not wear a mask; valid medical reasons (such as active breathing problems); and anyone who cannot remove a mask without assistance.  See Wearing Non-Medical Masks in the Community for more guidance.

Guidance for businesses, services, organizations, and operators of organized gatherings

All businesses, services, organizations, and operators of organized gatherings should encourage employees, volunteers, and participants to be fully immunized.  In settings where vaccine rates are low, reach out to public health for information on how to lower vaccine hesitancy and reduce barriers for accessing immunization.  Employers with more than 5 employees may take advantage of on-site vaccine clinics for employees who wish to be vaccinated at their place of work.  

All businesses, services, organizations, and operators of organized gatherings must determine if proof-of-vaccination is required under the PEI Vax Pass program.

Guidance where proof-of-vaccination IS REQUIRED:

  • Develop and follow an operational plan to reduce transmission and spread of disease.
  • Develop and follow a policy to prevent people who have to self-isolate from participating in an activity or entering a facility.
  • Develop and follow a policy to prevent people who are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19 from participating in an activity or entering a facility.
  • Develop and follow an enhanced cleaning and disinfection routine.
  • Ensure hand washing and/or hand sanitizing stations are available and accessible.
  • Clear barriers may be used to separate staff/volunteers from customers/attendees during short interactions at point-of-sale areas and information counters.
  • Print and post signage notifying staff, volunteers, customers and attendees of mask-wearing guidance, other public health measure requirements, and policies regarding non-entry of people who have to self-isolate or who have symptoms of COVID-19.

Guidance where proof-of-vaccination IS NOT REQUIRED:

  • All measures as above, plus:
    • Ensure physical distancing of 2m/6ft between customers or attendees from different parties.
    • If you host gatherings, events, or other group activities, keep records of attendees and staff for contact-tracing purposes.
    • Ensure signage on physical distancing requirements is clearly posted.

Organized Gatherings

All operators of organized gatherings must determine if proof-of-vaccination is required under the PEI Vax Pass Program. Certain gathering activities, including youth sport and activities, worship services, wedding ceremonies, and funeral and burial services, are not subject to the PEI Vax Pass Program.

Organized gatherings where proof-of-vaccination IS REQUIRED must follow these restrictions:

  • Cohorts must be formed of participants up to 200 people indoors and 400 people outdoors.
  • There is no limit on the number of cohorts.
  • Physical distancing is not required within cohorts.
  • Physical distancing of 2m/6ft must be maintained between different cohorts, and during short periods of interaction at shared areas like entry/exit points, washrooms, concession stands, hallways, etc.
  • Physical barriers such as fencing or stanchions are recommended to separate cohorts at events where there is a higher risk of mixing between cohorts.
  • Physical distancing must continue to be maintained in line-ups where there may be unvaccinated individuals also present at the premises (i.e. a line-up to pay for a meal at a take-out counter).
  • An operational plan is required outlining the public health measures in place.  If there will be multiple cohorts at an organized gathering, the operational plan must be pre-approved by the Chief Public Health Office (envhealth@ihis.org(link sends e-mail)).
  • Non-medical mask requirements must continue to be followed.

Organized gatherings where proof-of-vaccination IS NOT REQUIRED must follow these restrictions:

  • Cohorts must be formed of participants up to 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors.
  • Organized gatherings may have more than one cohort, up to a maximum of 2,000 people.
  • Physical distancing is required within cohorts between people from different parties.
  • Physical distancing of 2m/6ft must be maintained between different cohorts, and during short periods of interaction at shared areas like entry/exit points, washrooms, concession stands, hallways, etc.
  • Physical barriers such as fencing or stanchions are recommended to separate cohorts at events where there is a higher risk of mixing between cohorts.
  • Wedding and funeral ceremonies not following the PEI Vax Pass Program can have a maximum of 200 people.
  • Activities and events that include close contact (i.e. participants in sports) are permitted in cohorts of 100, outdoors or indoors.
  • Cheering, whistling, signing, and other vigorous vocalization that is not essential to an activity should be minimized when in close proximity to others.  If this type of activity is key to the gathering or anticipated to be unavoidable, non-medical masks should be worn.
  • An operational plan is required outlining the public health measures in place.  If there will be multiple cohorts at an organized gathering, the operational plan must be pre-approved by the Chief Public Health Office (envhealth@ihis.org(link sends e-mail)).
  • Non-medical mask requirements must continue to be followed.
  • For contact-tracing purposes, records including the names and phone numbers of staff and volunteers and at least one attendee per party must be kept:
    • Records must include full names (first and last) and phone numbers, must be printed clearly and legibly, must include contextual information such as the name of the activity and the time of the activity, and must indicate whether an individual is a participant or attendee, volunteer, or staff.
    • Operators must have a process in place to quickly retrieve and transmit records, should they be needed, including on weekends.
    • Records should be stored in a safe, secure location for one month after the creation of the records, and then disposed of using a secure destruction method to maintain confidentiality.

Published date: 

October 5, 2021