A rotational worker is a PEI resident who travels routinely outside of PEI and is on a set schedule. You may be eligible to apply as a rotational worker if:

• you spend at least 50% of your time working outside of the province and 21 or fewer consecutive days in the province when not at work, or
• you do same day work travel outside of PEI and are entering workplaces and/or interacting with people as part of your work outside of PEI, and are travelling frequently (1 or more times per week or 4 or more times per month).

Fully vaccinated registered rotational workers

• If you are fully immunized, registered rotational worker, the following applies:
  • Continue to be exempt from isolation for work-related travel
  • Recommended to minimize contacts during the first 4 days where possible
  • Must be tested on entry, and
    • day 4 at a testing clinic, or
    • day 2 and 4 with an antigen test
  • Monitor closely for symptoms and if any develop, get tested at a COVID-19 clinic (people with symptoms who have travelled should not rely on rapid tests)
  • Where possible, wait until your first negative test result (i.e. if you do not receive phone call in the 2 hours after the point of entry test, or you have a negative antigen test) before having close contact with coworkers, friends and family in PEI or going to public places. For greater clarity:
    • You do not have to wait at the point of entry (e.g. you can drive toward your destination, go through a drive-through, etc.).
    • You can use public washrooms while maintaining physical distancing and wearing a mask.
    • If you are getting picked up at the point of entry, you should wear a mask and maintain distancing in the vehicle.
    • If you need to enter workplace during this time period, wear a suitable mask and maintain physical distance.
  • Until you receive a negative day 4 test, wherever possible, you are asked to minimize your contacts; for example:
    • Don’t attend gatherings and events, including recreational activities, worship services, and larger personal gatherings.
    • Don’t visit elderly relatives or people with underlying medical conditions.
    • If you have to be out in public, interact with others, or go to work, wear a well-fitting three layer or medical mask and maintain physical distancing.
    • Following travel within Canada, you will not be permitted to visit long term care, community care or acute care until a negative day 4 test is received.

Who benefits from rotational workers?

All of PEI benefits from rotational workers. Isolation and testing policies for rotational workers allow workers to spend time with members of their households, while continuing to provide important services for Islanders.

Who is eligible to apply to the Chief Public Health Office (CPHO) to be a rotational worker in PEI?

You are eligible to apply as a rotational worker in PEI, if you:

• Are a resident of PEI;
• While working:
  • Spend at least 50% of your time working outside of PEI (e.g. 2 weeks off PEI/2 weeks in PEI; 4 days off PEI/4 days on PEI; weekdays 9-5 in NB or NS/nights and weekends in PEI); and spend 21 days or less in the province when not at work; OR
  • you do same day work travel outside of PEI and are entering workplaces and/or interacting with people as part of your work outside of PEI, and are travelling frequently (1 or more times per week or 4 or more times per month);
• Travel within Canada, or travel outside of Canada, but you are told you do not have to isolate at the Canadian border and are exempted, as per the federal Quarantine Act.

PEI residents travelling from outside of Canada who are not exempted, as per the federal Quarantine Act(link is external), are not eligible. If you are told at the Canadian border that you must isolate, you must self-isolate for 14 days in Canada; your isolation period in PEI must be at least 8 days, regardless of how many days you spent in isolation in another province or territory following international travel. Review information on PEI self-isolation for international arrivals and testing here.

If you are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, please note a PEI Rotational Worker approval does NOT provide you with an exemption under the PEI Vax Pass program to enter certain activities and events.

A PEI Rotational Worker approval does not exempt travellers from providing proof of vaccination on airplanes, trains, marine vessels or other conveyances as may be required by the federal government or private businesses.  You are responsible for confirming your eligibility to travel with the transportation service provider. For information about the Government of Canada’s vaccination requirements in the transportation sector, see https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid(link is external).

When do rotational workers who travel outside of PEI need to be tested?

Upon returning home to PEI all rotational workers are required to get tested at 0, 4 and 8 (or for as long as you are still in the province). Testing frequency resets with each arrival.

If travelling only within the Atlantic Provinces and arriving in PEI more than once each week, testing is required at least once every 5 days.

If you are leaving PEI within 48 hours of your next scheduled test, you are required to get tested before leaving.

If you do not get tested at the required frequency, you must remain in self-isolation for 8 days, subject to a negative test on day 8, or for the duration of your stay in PEI (if less than 8 days).

Call 1-855-354-4358 in advance to book a testing appointment for your return. You can book all of your other testing appointments at the same time.

I am an unvaccinated rotational worker, returning to PEI from within Canada. Do I need to self-isolate when I return home?

If you apply and are approved as a rotational worker, and seek testing on 0, 4 and 8 days (or for as long as you are still in the province) upon returning home, you must self-isolate, until you receive your first negative test result (or be following the routine testing schedule if arriving in PEI more than once a week and travelling only within the Atlantic Provinces), and after your negative result, then you:

• May interact with members of your household, unless you develop symptoms (see more information below);
• Must limit your interactions with others outside of your household (see more information below); and,
• Must go to a drop-in testing clinic immediately if you develop symptoms and isolate with everyone in the household until a negative test result is received.

I am an unvaccinated rotational worker who is being tested. What am I not allowed to do during my first 8 days in PEI after I receive my first negative test result?

You must self-isolate until you receive your first negative test result in PEI (or be following the routine testing schedule if arriving in PEI more than once a week and travelling only within the Atlantic Provinces). After your negative test result, and until you have received a negative test on day 8, in the first 8 days after you return home to PEI – you must not:

• go to public places. This includes, but is not limited to, schools, grocery stores, shopping malls, banks, places of worship, restaurants/bars, arenas, and gyms;
• visit or host people from outside of your household;
• volunteer in places that require you to be in contact with people from outside of your household (including volunteer fire departments, due to the potential requirement to isolate multiple firefighters from one community should you test positive for COVID-19); and,
• be within two metres or six feet of individuals outside of your household without wearing a mask (indoors or outdoors). Rotational workers are encouraged to have masks with them at all times, even outdoors.

I am an unvaccinated rotational worker who is being tested. What am I allowed to do during my first 8 days in PEI, after I receive my first negative test result?

You must isolate until you receive your first negative test result in PEI (or be following the routine testing schedule if arriving in PEI more than once a week and travelling only within the Atlantic Provinces). After your negative test result, in the first 8 days after you return home to PEI – you may:

• spend time with household members on your own property (including cabins/vacation homes);
• attend necessary medical, dental, and healthcare-related appointments (e.g. physiotherapy);
• go for a walk, run, hike, or ride your bike for exercise and outdoor recreation off your property;
• visit a park, beach or other outdoor public space. The space should not be crowded, and if you encounter people from outside your household, you must wear a non-medical mask and maintain a distance of two metres or six feet;
• go for a drive and drop off and pick up household members at school, work or recreational activities; and,
• arrange curbside pick up or delivery for groceries or other items that are purchased online or by telephone, or using a drive-thru  service (for example at a restaurant, bank or pharmacy).

I am an unvaccinated rotational worker who is being tested. Do other members of my household have to also limit their activities in the same way as me?

Other members of your household must follow standard public health precautions, including maintaining physical distancing, performing hand hygiene, wearing masks in indoor public spaces or where the potential of brief interaction within 2 m (6 ft) exists, and monitor closely for symptoms, and if symptoms develop, self-isolate and be tested. If you (rotational worker) develop COVID-19 symptoms, the entire household needs to self-isolate until a negative test is received.

I am an unvaccinated domestic rotational worker (traveling within Canada) who is being tested. Am I allowed to work during my first 8 days in PEI?

Yes. Approved rotational workers are automatically eligible to work-isolate, unless:

• you work in long term care or community care in which case you are not permitted to work-isolate during your first 8 days in PEI and must receive a negative test on Day 8 prior to returning to work; or
• have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days, in which case you are not permitted to work-isolate in the following workplaces:.
  • Health care
  • Meat packing plants
  • Fish plants
  • Correctional facilities
  • Schools
  • Early Years Centres and day cares

As a rotational worker, in order to work in eligible workplaces during your first 8 days on PEI, you must:

• Have obtained written permission from your employer;
• Have your first negative test result to enter any workplace (unless you have travelled only within the Atlantic Provinces in the previous 14 days, are arriving in PEI more than once each week and are being tested at least once every 5 days)
• After your first negative test result, closely following the testing schedule. The schedule depends on the workplace
  • If you are working in a workplace with 10 or more people (not including healthcare), testing is required every second day in the 8 days following arrival in PEI
  • If your workplace has fewer than 10 individuals, testing is required on days 4 and 8
  • No matter your workplace, if you have travelled only within the Atlantic Provinces in the previous 14 days and if you are arriving in PEI more than once each week, testing is required at least once every 5 days.
  • If you are leaving within 48 hours of your next scheduled test, you are required to get tested before leaving
• Follow work-isolation protocols when in the workplace, including physical distancing, wearing a mask, and frequently washing/sanitizing your hands;
• Follow all directions provided to rotational workers outside the workplace, as outlined above.

I am a rotational worker. I travel off PEI regularly based on my set schedule. Do I need to apply to the CPHO each time I travel?

No, you do not need to apply each time you travel, but you must submit an initial Worker Travel application, beginning October 2, 2020. On the Resident Worker Travel application, indicate that you are a rotational worker and outline your routine work and travel schedule. If approved, and once this is on file, you will not have to apply again, unless your schedule or work circumstances change.

I am an unvaccinated rotational worker, returning to PEI from outside of Canada. Do I need to self-isolate when I return home?

If you are told at the Canadian border that you must isolate for 14 days, you must self-isolate for 14 days in Canada; your isolation period in PEI must be at least 8 days, regardless of how many days you spent in isolation in another province or territory following international travel.  Review information on PEI self-isolation for international arrivals including testing here.

If you are told you do not have to isolate at the Canadian border and are exempted as per the federal Quarantine Act; when you return to PEI:

• You must self-isolate and be tested at day 0. You must remain in self-isolation, away from other members of your household, until you receive a negative test result.
• Once you receive a negative result, you may interact with members of your household. Maintaining physical distance from household members is not necessary unless you become sick. 
• You must also be tested on days 4 and 8 (or for as long as you remain in the province) and follow the above measures outlined regarding what you are and are not permitted to do.
• If you develop symptoms at any time, go to a drop-in testing clinic immediately and self-isolate with everyone in the household until a negative test result is received.
• If testing is not done, you must self-isolate for 8 days, subject to a negative test on day 8.
• You are also eligible to work-isolate, unless you work in high risk workplaces (including community care, long term care, health care, meat packing plants, fish plants, correctional facilities, schools, early years centres or day cares) in which case you are not eligible to work-isolate following international travel. As a rotational worker, in order to work during your first 8 days on PEI, you must:
  • Have obtained written permission from your employer;
  • Closely follow the testing schedule (0, 4, and 8 days, or every second day in the 8 days following arrival in PEI if you work in workplace with 10 or more people [not including healthcare]);
  • Follow work-isolation protocols when in the workplace, including physical distancing, wearing a mask, and frequently washing/sanitizing your hands; and,
  • Follow all directions provided to rotational workers outside the workplace, as outlined above.

I recently traveled outside of Canada and thought I was exempt from self-isolation because I was approved as a rotational worker in PEI. After being home for 3 days I was told that I am on the quarantine list from Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and must isolate for 14 days. What do I do?

If you are told at the Canadian border that you must isolate for 14 days, you must self-isolate for 14 days in Canada; your isolation period in PEI must be at least 8 days, regardless of how many days you spent in isolation in another province or territory following international travel.  Review information on PEI self-isolation for international arrivals including testing here. Federal government requirements over-rule PEI requirements. However, if you feel you should be exempt and want to have your quarantine requirement re-assessed, you can contact Canada Border Services Agency at: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/bis-sif-eng.html(link is external).

How do I access the COVID-19 vaccine as a rotational worker?

Information about how to get a COVID-19 vaccine is available here.

I am a registered PEI resident rotational worker who has received my first dose of vaccine, am I still required to follow the modified isolation for rotational workers?

As of 22 November, 2021, rotational workers who are not fully vaccinated are required to follow the modified isolation outlined above – the same as unvaccinated rotational workers.

Up until 22 November, 2021, registered PEI resident rotational workers who have received at least one dose of an approved Canadian COVID-19 vaccine and at least 21 days have passed since receiving their first vaccine dose, are eligible to be exempt from modified isolation provided the following conditions are met:

• If you were vaccinated by the Province of PEI, submit a request to peiworkertravel@gov.pe.ca(link sends e-mail) for a review of vaccination status and have received an updated rotational worker letter;
• If you were vaccinated in a jurisdiction other than PEI, submit proof of vaccination to peiworkertravel@gov.pe.ca(link sends e-mail) and have received an updated rotational worker letter;
• You are required to isolate until you received a first negative COVID-19 test result and test at days 0, 4 and 8 unless;
  • if travelling only within the Atlantic Provinces and arriving in PEI more than once each week, and are testing at least once every 5 days;
• If leaving within 48 hours of the next scheduled test, you must get tested before leaving;
• Follow all general public health measures, including maintaining physical distancing, wearing a non-medical mask, doing frequent hand hygiene, and keeping circle of contacts small;
• Must monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and immediately seek testing and self-isolate if any symptoms develop;
• If working while in PEI, you must continue to follow the measures outlined on the Rotational Workers webpage for working following domestic or international travel, including the testing schedules, not being eligible to work in some workplaces, requiring a first negative test before entering workplaces, etc; and
• If testing is not completed as required, vaccinated rotational workers will have their rotational worker status reviewed and be required to isolate for 8 days upon arrival to PEI, subject to a negative test on day 8.

PEI residents travelling from outside of Canada who are not exempted, as per the federal Quarantine Act(link is external), are not eligible.. If you are told at the Canadian border that you must isolate for 14 days, you must self-isolate for 14 days in Canada; your isolation period in PEI must be at least 8 days, regardless of how many days you spent in isolation in another province or territory following international travel.  Review information on PEI self-isolation for international arrivals including testing here.

Please allow for up to four business days for your vaccination record to be reviewed and a new letter to be issued and effective. If your review request was sent during the 21 days following your first dose of vaccine, your updated letter will not be forwarded to you until you are 21 days post vaccination.