FREDERICTON, N.B. — As of May 15th, 2020, Newfoundland sits with 260 confirmed cases, 11 active, 244 recovered, 3 deaths and no new cases in the last 7 days. Newfoundland has been focusing on testing their residents. The province’s testing number currently sits at 10,152 adding 100 tests done since Tuesday. The province announced on Monday, May 11th, 2020 that they are under Alert level 4, part of a re-opening plan that schedules opening’s for businesses and social activities based on the province’s level of risk.
Currently, Newfoundlanders can engage in the following activities, providing that social distancing is maintained, and public health remains in-tact, with no new communal spread of COVID-19.
Alert level 4 allows: small gatherings for funerals, burials, and weddings are being permitted with a limit of 10 people, the opening of municipal parks, golf courses and driving ranges, hunting and fishing, and low risk medical procedures.
While Newfoundland is on the path to reopening its businesses and offset the economic turmoil small businesses face, this does not mean things are back to normal for the province.
“This is not business as usual” Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, the provinces chief medical officer of health, said employers will be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing their business even more than usual. Provinces across the country are facing new challenges as local businesses are being financially tested. Many small businesses have had to make a lot of changes on how they run their businesses with social distance pick up and drop offs being added to their everyday business lives. Small businesses are now rushing to have a web presence, and maintain their customer base in a world where brick and mortar shopping sees numerous challenges.
While the province is loosening restrictions on inner-activities, borders remain closed and will continue to until further notice.
One social activity which has not been opened, and remains indefinitely closed due to COVID-19 are Newfoundland Schools. On May 15th, 2020, Hon. Brian Warr announced via the Newfoundland Government website that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. The government is evaluating options for a September school year and contingencies if social distancing is still required.
According to the memo, “School districts will issue report cards with final marks the week of June 22, with transcripts to be issued by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development the week of July 6.”
Written by Tristen King
