COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Friday, Sept. 25

Charlottetown's COVID-19 testing clinic is moving from the Eastlink Centre (the former Civic Centre next to the racetrack) to a nearby location: the former government garage on Park Street, a written release from the provincial government said Friday.

Islanders will have earlier access to flu shots this fall as the province,hoping to avoid a dual outbreak of COVID-19 and influenza,ordered vaccine early this year.

There is nothing in Wednesday's throne speech that will solve some of the fundamental problems with the federal government's support for workers during the pandemic, says Conservative MP Rob Moore.

The P.E.I. government would like to see one third of civil servants working from home, even after the pandemic.

An alert app and a saliva test for COVID-19 are likely coming to P.E.I. in the next few months, according to Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison.

The federal government's announcement during the throne speechto extend the Canada emergency wage subsidy programwas "encouraging"for a P.E.I. tourism operator.

Charlottetown council has decided to defer the city's scheduled parking rate increase to 2021 in an effort to get more business to the city's downtown stores and restaurants.

There have been 58confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the Island, with 57 considered recovered. There have been no hospitalizations or deaths, and there is no evidence of community spread.

Retail sales are down overall in the pandemic, but there havebeen both winners and losers.

Also in the news

• Traffic at Charlottetown Airport was down 94 per cent over the summerand nowthe Atlantic Canada Airport Associationis asking the federal government for financial support.
• TheAPM Centre in Cornwall, P.E.I., is anticipating its first loss in 18 years. Therecreational facility makes money off membership and rental feesboth dropped during the pandemic.
• A new incubatorfor the neonatal ICU at the Queen Elizabeth Hospitalwill keep more babies on the Island. The Wo-He-Lo group raised moneyfor the machineonline afterCOVID-19 cancelled thespring and fall clothing fundraisers.

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.
• Here isa guide onwhat parents and students need to knowabout attending school.

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