The Together Again Plan provides Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with an overview of the phased approach that will be taken as we start to lift long-term public health measures. As we reopen Newfoundland and Labrador to increased social and economic activity and welcome travelers to the province, movement between steps will be based on:

1. Continued success of the COVID-19 Immunization Plan, particularly in vulnerable populations;
2. Evidence that vaccines are effective in reducing hospitalizations and deaths in people who are vaccinated;
3. Controlled spread of COVID-19, including COVID-19 variants of concern;
4. Ability to test, trace and isolate all cases (public health capacity); and
5. Health system readiness to handle any surge in COVID-19 cases.

The plan, including projected timelines, is subject to change based on these factors.

View the Together Again Plan
Together Again Summary Table

Your Responsibility

Throughout the Together Again Plan, we must continue to:

• Wear a non-medical mask in indoor public spaces;*
• Maintain physical distancing from others;
• Isolate away from others and get tested if we develop COVID-19 symptoms; and
• Get vaccinated with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, once available to you.

CURRENT – Step 2 (as of August 1st)

The criteria for Step 2 are:

• About 80 per cent of people ages 12 years and older are vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine; AND
• About 50 per cent of people ages 12 years and older are vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine; AND
• Low COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations.

Travel

• Fully and partially vaccinated Canadians have no testing or self-isolation requirements.
• Unvaccinated Canadians are tested on day 7, 8 or 9, and self-isolate until receipt of a negative test result.
• Mixed groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated adult travellers follow the rules for unvaccinated travellers.
• Vaccinated adults travelling with unvaccinated children under the age of 12 years follow the rules applicable to the adults’ vaccination status.
• Newfoundlanders and Labradorians returning home from out-of-province travel will be required to follow the rules above according to their vaccination status.

Rotational Workers and Essential Workers

• Fully and partially vaccinated rotational workers coming from non-outbreak sites follow the rules above for Canadian travellers.
• Fully and partially vaccinated rotational workers coming from outbreak sites are tested upon arrival and are not required to self-isolate.
• Fully and partially vaccinated essential workers follow the rules above for Canadian travellers.
• Unvaccinated workers follow current testing and isolation protocols.

Formal Gatherings

• Outdoor gatherings up to 500 people with physical distancing.
• Indoor gatherings up to 350 people as long as physical distancing can be maintained.
• Larger indoor and outdoor venues can have separated cohorts with physical distancing.
• Funeral home visitation up to 50 people at a time.

Personal Gatherings

• Limited to the number of people that can fit in the space with physical distancing.

Businesses

• No capacity restrictions at restaurants and lounges, with physical distancing maintained between patrons seated at adjacent tables. Self-serve buffets are prohibited.
• Dance floors permitted.

Recreational Activities

• Indoor and outdoor sports tournaments permitted with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place.
• Recreational and arts facilities follow the limits for formal gatherings.
• Cohorting continues at child care centres, after school programs and day camps; large group outdoor activities are permitted.

Offices and Workplaces

• Continued return to work.
• Larger meetings and conferences can happen.

Step 3 (as early as September 15)

The criteria for Step 3 are:

• About 80 per cent of people ages 12 years and older are vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine; AND
• Low COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations.

Travel

• Fully and partially vaccinated Canadians have no testing or self-isolation requirements.
• Unvaccinated Canadians self-isolate until receipt of a negative test result.
• Mixed groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated adult travellers follow the rules for unvaccinated travellers.
• Vaccinated adults travelling with unvaccinated children under the age of 12 years follow the rules applicable to the adults’ vaccination status.
• Newfoundlanders and Labradorians returning home from out-of-province travel will be required to follow the rules above according to their vaccination status.

Rotational Workers and Essential Workers

• Fully and partially vaccinated rotational workers coming from non-outbreak sites have no testing or self-isolation requirements.
• Fully and partially vaccinated rotational workers coming from outbreak sites are tested upon arrival but are not required to self-isolate.
• Fully and partially vaccinated essential workers have no testing or self-isolation requirements.
• Unvaccinated workers follow current testing and isolation protocols.

Formal Gatherings

• Outdoor gatherings have no capacity restrictions with physical distancing.
• Increased capacity at indoor gatherings to be determined based on current evidence. This includes funeral home visitation.

Personal Gatherings

• Limited to the number of people that can fit in the space with physical distancing.

Businesses

• No capacity restrictions at restaurants and lounges, with physical distancing maintained between patrons seated at adjacent tables. Self-serve buffets are prohibited.
• Dance floors permitted.

Recreational Activities

• Indoor and outdoor sports tournaments permitted with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place.
• Recreational and arts facilities follow the limits for formal gatherings.

Offices and Workplaces

• Workplaces are back to normal with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place, as required.

The following measures will continue to be a part of our daily lives at every Alert Level:

• Staying informed and being prepared to follow public health advice.
• Practicing good hygiene (wash your hands, avoid touching your face, cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue).
• Maintaining a physical distance of at least 2 arm lengths. Use a non-medical or cloth mask when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Frequent cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces.
• Staying at home and away from others when you are sick, unless it is to get medical attention.
• Wearing a non-medical or cloth mask if you have symptoms when going out to access health care services.
• Working from home, where possible.
• Continuing to shop online and using curbside pickup, where possible.
• Limiting non-essential travel in and outside of the province.
• Keeping a log of when you go out in public and your interactions with others.

Public Health is reminding people about the phrase People, Space, Time, and Place. People should always consider these four important reminders. They are especially important with the holidays approaching.

• People – The more people you interact with, the greater the risk of spread.
• Space – The closer you are to others, the greater the risk of spread.
• Time – The more time you spend with others, the greater the risk of spread.
• Place – Indoor activities with others are more risky than outdoor activities.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are defined as having two or more of the following (new or worsening):

• Fever (or signs of a fever, including chills, sweats, muscle aches, lightheadedness)
• Cough
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Painful swallowing
• Runny nose
• Diarrhea
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Unexplained loss of appetite
• Small red or purple spots on your hands and/or feet

The severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe. Current information suggests that most cases are not severe nor do they require hospitalization.

If you start to have symptoms of COVID-19:

• Stay at home and complete the COVID-19 self-assessment tool. If you cannot access the self-assessment tool, please contact 811.
• Do not visit your family physician’s office and, unless it is a medical emergency, please do not go to your Emergency Department.
• If you are self-isolating, you will need to continue self-isolation until Public Health advises otherwise.
• If you were not self-isolating, you will be put in self-isolation and COVID-19 testing will be arranged through Public Health.

Use the Symptom Tracker daily to help slow the spread of COVID-19, even if you feel well.