Apply to Work Isolate or Register as a Rotational Worker in PEI
It is important for everyone to be able to work and spend time with family. Many Islanders must leave the province to go to work. As a worker who travels, the following requirements allow you to spend time with family during the limited time you are at home while still balancing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in PEI.
Recognizing that many Islanders are back to work and that all work is important, the COVID-19 isolation and testing requirements for workers may vary depending on where you have been travelling and your workplace requirements.
Unless otherwise noted, this direction applies both to PEI residents and to those coming to PEI to work.
Arriving from anywhere inside Canada
Workers arriving to PEI from within Canada, including the Atlantic Provinces, must follow the requirements, as outlined below:-
Healthcare facilities (including LTC):
Work isolation for 14 days
Test at 0-2, 4-7, and 10-12 days
Must test negative prior to start of work
When not at work, self-isolate for 14 days
Rotational workers who are residents of PEI*:
No isolation but further precautionary measures required while in the community. (see below)
Test at 0-2, 4-7, and 10-12 days
If testing is not done, worker must self-isolate for 14 days
Other workers:
Work-isolation for 14 days
Test at 0-2, 4-7, and 10-12 days
Must test negative prior to start of work.
When not at work, self-isolate for 14 days.
Arriving from anywhere outside of Canada
- If you are told at the Canadian border that you must isolate for 14 days, you must self-isolate for 14 days in PEI(link is external). (Test at 0-2 and 10-12 days after arrival)
- If you are told you do not have to isolate at the Canadian border and are exempted as per the federal Quarantine Act(link is external) and returning to PEI, you must follow the requirements, as outlined below:
Healthcare workers (including LTC)
Self-isolation for 14 days.
Test at day 0-2 and 10-12.
Rotational workers who are residents of PEI**
See federal exempted workers** section below
Must self-isolate until receive first negative test result at day 0-2.
If testing is not done, worker must self-isolate for 14 days
Other workers
Work-isolation for 14 days.
Test at day 0-2, 4-7 and 10-12 days
If not working while in PEI, self- isolate for 14 days and test at day 0-2 and 10-12.
NOTE: PEI officials receive lists of workers who are exempted from isolation at the Canadian border.
What does isolation mean?
There are two types of isolation: self-isolation and work isolation.
Self-isolation
Self-isolation requires you to stay in your residence or on your property, except to seek emergency medical care. As an individual in self-isolation, you cannot attend public events, go to the grocery store or other retail outlets, and must arrange for no contact delivery of food, medication and other essentials.
Work isolation
Work isolation is similar to self-isolation except that you can go to work provided you maintain physical distancing from others, wear a non-medical mask, practice hand hygiene, and monitor for symptoms. Similar to self-isolation, you cannot attend public events, go to the grocery store or other retail outlets, and must arrange no-contact delivery of food, medication and other essentials. When at home, you must follow the self-isolation guidance.
Rotational workers
Rotational workers are PEI residents who travel routinely outside of the province are on a set schedule. Rotational workers spend at least 50% of their time working outside of the province and 21 days or less in the province when not at work.
Testing is required at days 0-2, 4-7 and 10-12. During the first 14 days after returning home, contact with individuals outside of your household must be minimized and you must follow the guidance for rotational workers, but you do not have to isolate away from your family. Rotational workers returning from outside of Canada must self-isolate until they receive their first negative result, after which they can interact with members of their household.
For the duration of your time at home, you must wear a non-medical mask or face covering when in public, keep your circle of contacts small, avoid all gatherings, wash your hands frequently and respect all public health measures.
Federally exempted workers: transportation crew, military and Coast Guard
If you are a commercial pilot or air crew member, commercial truck driver, Coast Guard, or military personnel and travel internationally for work, you are exempt from self-isolation under the federal order: Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada(link is external).
However, when you are on PEI, you must be tested at day 0-2, 4-7 and 10-12. As well, for your first 14 days at home, you must wear a non-medical mask or face covering when in public, keep your circle of contacts small, avoid all gatherings, wash your hands frequently and respect all public health measures.
International temporary workers and students
As an international student or temporary foreign worker, you must self- isolate for 14 days in a designated provincial facility, upon your arrival to PEI. Testing is required at day 0-2 and 10-12 after your arrival.
Source: Government of Prince Edward Island (Guidelines subject to change)
