Newfoundland — Both the provincial governments of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador announced Monday that they would be temporarily exiting the Atlantic Bubble.
P.E.I. Premier Dennis King said that they will be suspending all non-essential travel to the province for at least two weeks. Newfoundland, however, is taking a different approach.
Premier Andrew Furey elaborated in a video statement posted on government social media pages this morning.
“We’re extremely troubled by the recent outbreaks in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia,” he said, raising a hand as if to consider a weighty object within it. “It is for this reason we have decided that we can no longer be a part of the Atlantic Bubble in good conscience.”
He raised his other hand and tilted his head in a way that indicated a shifting scale.
“And yet…we do recognize the value of tourism, especially during these winter months,” he continued. “It is for this reason that we have decided to allow one visitor from another Atlantic province into our bubble without restriction.”
He said that this visitor (the 71st to request entry, in honour of the anniversary of Confederation) will be allowed to enter the province without testing, self-isolation, or any other social distancing restrictions.
“We’re calling it a ‘Corona-Vacation,’” he said with a grin. “Everybody wishes that they could just get away from all of this COVID stuff, and, for this lucky person, they can! Our infection numbers have remained low, and so we’re confident that our contest winner will feel safe and relaxed in our province.”
How does one enter this contest? Furey explained.
“We have police patrolling our borders at all times. If you want to try your luck, just step right up to one of the officers and say the magic phrase: ‘Stay where you’re to ’til I comes where you’re at.’”
He chuckled at this bit of Newfie humour.
“One fortunate soul will immediately be granted entry,” he said, with a small, but definitive nod of his head. “Everybody else will be shot on sight.”