COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Friday, June 26

Phase 4 of P.E.I.'s ease-back plan began Friday, which includes larger public gatherings.

Mothers and infants enjoyed thewater at local splash pads in Summerside. Parishioners attended Friday morning mass at St. Dunstan's Basilicain Charlottetown, and some marked Phase 4's opening day bypreparingfor the opening of theracing season at the Red Shores track.

Some P.E.I. residentsare questioning why the Atlantic bubble is taking place before loosening restrictions for those living in long-term care facilities on the Island.

A federal clawback of Canada emergency response benefit payments could leave some Islanders without income for the last half of June, says the P.E.I. Green Party.

Twenty WestJet employees at Charlottetown airport are included in the permanent layoffs related to COVID-19 announced Wednesday, a company spokesperson said.

The P.E.I. government is postponing plans for afree, half-day pre-kindergarten programfor four year olds,and is now aiming for next September instead.

Owners at someof P.E.I.'s larger restaurantssay the current COVID-19 restrictions limiting them to50 patrons at a time couldhave a negative impact on their businesses once the Atlantic bubble comes into effect on July 3.

P.E.I. has had 27 confirmed cases, the most recent on April 28. All have recovered. More than 10,000 COVID-19 tests from P.E.I. have been done.

Also in the news

• With the bubble open, so are businesses in Cavendish, but operators are uncertain what the season will look like.
• Bookings are coming in quickly for hotel and cottage operators.
• The four Atlantic provinces have agreed to open their borders to each other on July 3, the Council of Atlantic Premiers announcedWednesday in a news release.
• Some Islanders are keen to get on the highway after thatannouncement.
• While P.E.I. will open its borders, it won't be the "free-flowing traffic" of the pre-COVID-19 days, said Premier Dennis King.

Further resources

• Here is information for living with the COVID-19 pandemic on P.E.I. including information on government relief programs, physical distancing measures, and essential health services.

• Here is a chart tracking COVID-19 numbers and a timeline of COVID-19-related events on P.E.I.

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