Atlantic COVID and Trucking News
Prince Edward Island Announces New Travel/Border Measures Impacting Truck Drivers Entering the Province
the province and will now require all non-PEI resident workers (including truck drivers) entering PEI from outside of the Atlantic provinces to be tested within 72 hours of arriving in the province and requiring a negative test result be able to enter PEI. The measures are effective immediately and will last until at least May 17.
Truck drivers that are residents of PEI that travel for work outside of the Atlantic bubble will be required to self-isolate until they receive their first negative result after arriving in PEI, regardless of vaccination status.
These new measures come in response to recent cases of the virus that have entered PEI due to travel outside of the province. The province has indicated that the public health risk of COVID-19 is being continually reassessed and residents will be updated as new information becomes available.
More information on the new measures can be found here: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/three-new-cases-covid-19-pei-increased-travel-measures
Modified isolation for truck drivers
Truck drivers do not yet have to register their travel as the provincial government is working collaboratively with the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) to determine the right steps to make the travel registration and isolation requirements as simple and efficient as possible for independent and fleet truck drivers.
“Truck drivers have played an important role since the beginning of the pandemic. Currently with the variants of COVID-19, we know all forms of travel carry a serious risk to the health of New Brunswickers,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “We are committed to working with the industry to find ways to limit the burden for the trucking industry and its drivers while at the same time reducing the risk of the COVID-19 virus spreading in our province.”
As of April 25, New Brunswick truck drivers who regularly cross borders and New Brunswickers who are regular cross-border commuters are following modified isolation guidelines when returning to the province. Truck drivers and commuters can continue to go to work during this time. As part of modified isolation, their families they are living with do not have to self-isolate. It is anticipated that these additional measures will be in place for about a month to achieve a reduction in the spread of the virus, prevent overwhelming the health-care system, keep most of the province at the yellow level and to avoid widespread lockdowns.
Isolation in hotels for leisure, business travellers, and those moving to New Brunswick
Anyone returning to the province from leisure travel, as well as individuals moving to New Brunswick and business travellers who are not rotational workers, truck drivers or regular cross-border commuters, must self-isolate for at least seven days in a designated isolation hotel at their own expense.
Upon arriving in New Brunswick, travellers in this category must drive themselves or use a taxi directly to the isolation facility. No family pick-ups or carpools are permitted. These rules apply to travellers, regardless of their vaccination status.
Six isolation hotels have been identified in locations throughout the province: the Hilton in Saint John; Hyatt Place in Moncton; the Delta in Fredericton; the Rodd in Miramichi; the Best Western in Bathurst; and the Quality Inn in Campbellton. There is currently no isolation hotel in Edmundston due to the lockdown status but one will be identified when the lockdown ends. These hotels are not able to take reservations directly. Travellers must call the Canadian Red Cross support line at 1(800) 863-6582, selecting the option “NB isolation support to non-essential travelers” and a representative will assist them in their isolation support booking. The Canadian Red Cross is co-ordinating the accommodation, food, medical needs and security. The cost to travellers will be about $200 per day.
These travellers will be required to self-isolate for at least seven days in a designated isolation hotel at their own expense, be required to take a COVID-19 test on day five of their self-isolation, and if they get a negative result, they may complete their 14-day self-isolation at home, as long as no other people are in the household. Test results will likely be available on day seven of isolation. Travellers will be required to take a second test on day 10 of their isolation.
