COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Wednesday, Aug. 5

The P.E.I. governmentannounced itsback-to-school planWednesday for students, staff and parents.

The plan relies heavily on grouping students into cohorts andenhanced cleaning.Students will be required to bring a non-medical mask to school, but the wearing of that mask is only strongly recommended, not required.

Different groups and individuals reactedto the province's back-to-school planafter its release.

Prince Edward Island business closures, which had been hovering around 200 a month for more than a year, shot to 428 in April as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

The pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Montague is anticipating the need for back-to-school help will be up this year due to COVID-19.

The province is working with UPEI and Holland College on how to handle the arrival of international students and Canadian students from outside the Atlantic bubble.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrisonsaid her office is keeping an eye on the activities of soccer players from the Canadian Premier League.

Parks Canada on P.E.I. has adapted its offerings and services to adhere toCOVID-19 health measures.

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

• P.E.I. return to schools relies heavily on grouping students, enhanced cleaning.
• From confident to cautious: Your Comments on P.E.I.'s back-to-school plan.
• Dr. Trevor Jain takes your questions about COVID-19.
• With travel curtailed outside Atlantic Canada, people are rediscovering the beauty in their own backyard and finding some hidden gems.
• Tyne Valley is among the four finalists in the Kraft Hockeyville competition. The announcementof the finalists was postponed in the spring due to COVID-19.
• An Atlantic Canadian privacy lawyer is encouraging thedownload of the COVIDAlert app.

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.