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COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Tuesday, March 31

Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison says she expects the number of positive cases on P.E.I. to continue to increase. At a media briefing Tuesday, she announced three more positive cases, bringing the total on the Island to 21.

All are residents of P.E.I., she said, and all are related to travel. There have been no deaths on P.E.I.

In a late afternoon briefing, the province outlined its plans for home-based schooling, which begins on April 6. Education Minister Brad Trivers also announced that emergency child-care services would be available for essential workers at some child-care centres beginning as early as Wednesday.

P.E.I. National Park is closing access roads to discourage people from gathering there.

The P.E.I. government has issued a call for a long list of supplies the provincial health system needs as it deals with the pandemic.

Apartment buildings are making changes to help tenants respect physical distancing guidelines.

Restaurant inspections are moving to a complaint-based model, to limit direct visits of inspectors.

On Monday, a 27-year-old Summerside man was issued a $1,000 fine for violating a health order to self-isolate.

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Financial relief

  • IRAC has suspended rental hearings indefinitely in response to the pandemic.

  • The Charlottetown water and sewer utility is offering options for flexible payments to people suffering financial difficulties during COVID-19.

  • Small businesses affected are eligible for loans of up to $100,000.

  • The province's largest landlord, the P.E.I. Housing Corporation, suspended evictions for six weeks as of March 17.

Health

  • Health PEI is rescheduling non-essential appointments, and said those affected will be contacted directly.

Education

Travel

  • Any Islanders who have travelled out of province — whether experiencing symptoms or not — are required to self-isolate for 14 days following their return. This applies to people who have travelled internationally since March 8, and anyone who travelled to another province since March 21.

COVID-19: What you need to know

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Common symptoms include:

  • Fever.

  • Cough.

  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

  • Clean regularly touched surfaces regularly.

More detailed information on the outbreak is available on the federal government's website.

More COVID-19 stories from CBC P.E.I.