Effective Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., a special measures order will be in effect, requiring all travellers aged five and older to be tested according to their self-isolation arrangements. This new testing protocol does not apply to essential workers and rotational workers coming from non-outbreak sites in Canada, as they would be subject to their own existing protocols. It will also not apply to any traveller in the province for two days or less, or permanent residents of the communities along the Labrador-Quebec border travelling to communities across the border who have not travelled beyond those communities in the last 14 days.
Asymptomatic travellers who can self-isolate fully away from others are required to be tested once near the end of the 14-day self-isolation period, on days 11, 12, or 13. Fully self-isolating away from others means staying in a separate dwelling (e.g., household, hotel, or rental property) or a completely separate area of the home with a separate bedroom and bathroom and no contact with anyone in the dwelling.
Asymptomatic travellers who cannot fully self-isolate away from others are required to be tested twice during the 14-day self-isolation period – upon arrival on days zero, one or two; and again near the end of the self-isolation period on days 11, 12, or 13. This applies to travellers isolating in a home where others are living, and where there is no separate bedroom and/or bathroom. In this case, the whole household must self-isolate.
There will also be an option for travellers to avail of a test at day seven, eight, or nine. After day seven, household members of the traveller may also avail of testing.
Travellers can arrange for testing by completing the online self-assessment and referral form available here anytime, up to seven days before their arrival in the province.
While there is no evidence that there is wide-spread community transmission in the region, there has been spread among contacts. Given this, and the fact that these are variant strains which spread quickly and easily, a Special Measures
This will give Public Health the ability to carry out their investigation and conduct community wide testing in the area, while reducing the risk of onward transmission and spread. These measures will be re-evaluated in one week.