Thread by @CMOH_NL

THREAD ⚠ Effective 12:01 am March 13, the Avalon region will move to Alert Level 4 and areas outside the Avalon will move to Alert level 3.

2️⃣ We must be mindful that while our provincial epidemiology is in a very good place, the same cannot be said outside the province. We therefore remain at risk of importation of the virus and the variants of concern that are now in greater circulation.

3️⃣ We saw first-hand how rapidly the B117 variant spread in our province. That’s why we must ease restrictions slowly. We will closely monitor the epidemiology as we open to ensure that there is no increased transmission.

4️⃣ We have adjusted restrictions in each level, recognizing that the COVID variants and worldwide epidemiology put us in a very different place than we were in when these levels were developed last summer.

5️⃣ While travel within the province is not prohibited, we do ask that you limit travel as much as possible. We recognize that there are activities that are beneficial for mental health such as going to your cabin or snowmobiling.

6️⃣ If you do choose to travel for leisure, go directly to your destination and be prepared with your supplies to avoid having to enter public places along the way.

7️⃣ In level 3, each household can have a maximum of 10 close, consistent contacts. This is not 10 contacts per person, it is 10 for the entire household. Remember the phrase "Tight 10."

8️⃣ Close consistent contacts are the people you interact with socially, in close proximity, for an extended period of time, on a regular basis. As we recommended at Christmas, determining who your close contacts are is a conscious, deliberate decision each household must make.

9️⃣ In Level 3, restaurants are permitted to operate for in person dining at 50% capacity, provided they can maintain 6ft between patrons seated at tables. This does not mean 6ft between tables, it is the distance between people that matters.

🔟 As #StPatricksDay approaches, it will be particularly important for restaurants to adhere to these requirements. Eating and drinking should only occur while seated. Anyone not seated must wear their mask. There should be no movement of individuals between tables. 🍀

1️⃣1️⃣ We are asking businesses to have employees work from home wherever possible, regardless of alert level. This recommendation will be in place until we have a sufficient proportion of the population vaccinated. 🏢from🏡 #WFH

1️⃣2️⃣ As a reminder for those on the Avalon, I will now go through the restrictions for Alert Level 4 ⚠ which will be in place midnight Saturday morning: (sorry for the long thread, so much to share today!) 🙏

➡ Public Spaces and Gatherings:
• Informal social gatherings are not permitted.
• Gatherings at funerals, burials, weddings, and religious and cultural ceremonies are limited to 10 ppl, provided physical distancing can be maintained.
• Public visitations & wakes prohibited.

➡ Recreational Activities:
• Outdoor playgrounds and equipment can be used.
• Gym and fitness facilities, yoga studios, tennis and squash facilities, arenas, dance studios and performance spaces remain closed.

➡ Businesses and Services:
• Private health care clinics can reopen in accordance with guidelines.
• Retail stores, including those in shopping malls, can open at 50 per cent capacity, provided physical distancing can be maintained. .....continued >>>>

• Personal service establishments, including spas, esthetic services, hair salons, body piercing, tattooing & tanning salons, can open in accordance with guidelines.
• Restaurants remain closed for in-person dining.
• Bars, lounges, bingo halls, cinemas remain closed.

Please visit gov.nl.ca/covid-19/alert… for more information on the Alert Level System. Keep in mind we are in the process of updating the site ahead of Friday, so I ask you to please have some patience as the team works as quickly as possible.

To cap off this (long) thread.... Please be kind to one another. Hold Fast Newfoundland and Labrador! ❤