PEI Implementing Mandatory Covid Testing Upon Entry Sept 30

The Government of Prince Edward Island is implementing Covid testing at all points of entry into the province, effective September 30 – regardless of immunization status and time outside of province – as an additional measure to protect local residents from increasing cases of COVID-19.

Information provided to CTA by the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association indicates the following will apply to truck drivers entering the province:

• Drivers who make regular trips to PEI (e.g. at least twice weekly) will only be required to be tested every 5 days;
• Drivers who don’t make regular trips to PEI will be asked to be tested upon entry;
• All testing must be completed by PEI authorities;
• Test results from other jurisdictions completed in advance of arrival will not be accepted;
• Drivers who are not fully vaccinated are required to work-isolate when in PEI;
• Drivers who are fully vaccinated are NOT required to isolate when in PEI, but they are still required to get tested based on above frequency of trips.

The province’s website also highlights that “due to increased testing at the points of entry, travel delays, especially in Borden-Carlton, are to be expected”.

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Island residents are advised to avoid non-essential out of province travel

• Island residents are advised to avoid non-essential out of province travel
• If you must travel for essential purposes, follow all public health measures in the area you are visiting and all testing and isolation requirements on return to PEI.
• Before you travel outside of PEI, find out about the rules of entry for each province or territory you are entering.

Increased testing

• Effective September 28, 2021
  • For travel with PEI Pass (and children under age 12 travelling with adults with a PEI Pass)
    • School age children returning to PEI
      • Require a negative test before returning to school after travel (the point of entry test or take home test meets this requirement)
      • School age children under 12 years of age are also asked to be tested twice after arrival on days 4 and 8, and if any symptoms of COVID-19 develop, be tested immediately
      • School age children 12 years and older are also asked to be tested once after arrival between days 4-8 and if any symptoms of COVID-19 develop, be tested immediately
    • All other fully immunized people are recommended to be tested once after arrival between days 4-8 and if any symptoms of COVID-19 develop, be tested immediately
• Effective September 30, 2021
  • everyone 8 years and older will be tested at the points of entry (regardless of immunization status and time outside of province). School age children who cannot be tested at the points of entry will be given a self-test kit to ensure they have a negative test prior to returning to school.

Information on COVID-19 testing clinics and access can be found online. Due to increased testing at the points of entry, travel delays, especially in Borden-Carlton, are to be expected.

PEI Passes and Travel Isolation

• Effective September 28, 2021, people must be fully vaccinated (+14 days) to be eligible for a PEI Pass.
• Effective September 30, 2021, all people arriving in PEI who are not fully vaccinated, including those who are partially vaccinated, will need to self-isolate for 8 days (subject to a test on day 8) and complete a self-isolation declaration. This does not apply to:
  • PEI residents travelling off-Island for eligible same day travel activities following the same-day travel guidance
  • Truck drivers following the guidance for truck drivers
  • PEI resident rotational workers following the guidance for rotational workers
  • People working in PEI during their isolation who follow the requirements for work-isolation
  • Children younger than 12 years old and travelling with at minimum one fully vaccinated adult who is exempt from isolation with a PEI Pass
• Non PEI residents seeking travel isolation exemptions for work or compassionate reasons also complete the self isolation declaration

• If you are now fully vaccinated (+ 14 days) but your PEI Pass was issued when you were partially vaccinated (e.g. your PEI Pass code ends with the letter A), you must bring your record of vaccination with you to the point of entry. For PEI residents, find out how to access your vaccine record here.
• PEI residents who are planning to travel are advised to check requirements for where they are going
• For children turning 12 years old, there is a three month grace period from their birthday before the requirement to be fully vaccinated comes into effect. For example, if a child turns 12 on September 1, they have until December 1 to be fully vaccinated.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine

• Anyone age 12 years and over can drop in to receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI vaccination clinics; those age 18 years or older can also visit one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province

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