P.E.I. group calls on government to reinstate COVID-19 measures
A group on Prince Edward Island is calling for a return to tougher COVID-19 restrictions in the province.
That comes as part of a candlelight vigil in Charlottetown Wednesday evening — a memorial marking the COVID-19-related deaths of 52 islanders.
The group Protect our Province P.E.I. (POPPEI) was expecting dozens of people to gather in Rochford Square at 8:30 p.m.
Organizers say it’s also a call to action for the provincial government.
“Public health policy, if you study it at all, requires a layered perspective. That would include masks plus vaccine, not simply vaccine,” said Chris Robinson, a health economist and organizer with POPPEI. “We need that approach and a real plan as children go back to school.”
The group is demanding a return to mandatory masking, improved air filtration in public buildings, more frequent COVID-19 information updates, improved access to rapid tests, and 10 days of paid sick time.
COVID-19 activity has dropped since a small peak in mid-July. Numbers released by the province Tuesday show a drop in case counts and hospitalizations, though there were three new deaths and 35 per cent of people tested were positive for the virus.
“We are still a very hot spot,” said Robinson. “A downward inflection is not the same as ‘we’ve decreased back to where we were in the times of the Atlantic bubble,’ that’s what we want to get back to.”
The province did not accommodate a request for an interview on the topic Wednesday.
The University of Prince Edward Island apparently agrees with at least some of the group’s recommendations. It has become the latest post-secondary institution in the Maritimes to implement on-campus masking in the upcoming fall semester, after making the announcement Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.