COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Sunday, Aug. 9

Canadian Premier League soccer players arrived on the Island yesterday and will begin league play on Aug. 13.

Leaguecommissioner David ClanachantoldCBC News: Compasshost Louise Martinlast week that the teams "will maintain the bubble" originally promised to the province.

The eight teams in the league are the HFX Wanderers FC (Halifax), Atltico Ottawa, York9 FC (York Region), Forge FC (Hamilton), Valour FC (Winnipeg), FC Edmonton, Cavalry FC (Calgary) and Pacific FC (Greater Victoria).

Walmart will require allcustomers and staff towear a maskin its stores across the country starting this week. The company said the move is their latest safety measure to help protect against COVID-19.

The P.E.I. government announced its back-to-school plans for SeptemberTamara Hubley-Little, the province's director of English education,saidthe school yearis going to be"front-loaded"in case students have to return to learning from home. Education goals will be pursued early in the year, but Hubley-Little said it doesn't mean more homework.

For front-line workers feeling the stress of the pandemic,the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapyis offering free therapy sessions to help.

Despite the pandemic, the annualArt in the Open festival said it will be returning at the end of the month to celebrate its 10 year anniversary. The event will feature"big, bold, ambitious art installationsthat can be viewed from a distance."

Summersideis encouraging take-out from local restaurants bybuildingpicnic stations in its downtown. Last weekend, Island restaurants were so busy some hadtoturn away customersbecause of COVID-19 restrictions.

The Island has no active cases of COVID-19. The province has reported a total of 36 cases, with no deaths or hospitalizations.

Also in the news

• The unemployment rate on P.E.I. fell 3.5 percentage points in July, but the drop was caused byan increase in part-time workand thousands leaving the labour force.
• Charlottetown policearecracking down on motorcycle noiseand speedin the downtown corethey're getting an influx of complaints from residents this summer, and attribute that to more people being home because of the pandemic.
• New numbers show Prince Edward Island business closures, which had been hovering around 200 a month for more than a year,shot to 428 in Aprilas the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

Further resources

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