Even With Community Spread of COVID 19, Voting in N.L.’s Election Is Safe: Experts

Liberal Leader Andrew Furey takes questions from the media following a televised debate at the Confederation Building in St. John's N.L. on February 3, 2021. Newfoundland and Labrador will hold a provincial election on February 13, 2021. Paul Daly/The Canadian Press

ST. JOHN'S, N.L.—A Montreal cardiologist with a background in epidemiology says even with community spread of COVID-19 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador can have a safe election on Saturday.

McGill University professor Dr. Christopher Labos says it’s not the election itself that’s a concern but the possibility of people gathering in large numbers.

Labos said Tuesday if venues are ventilated and if voters are masked and keep their distance from one another, then everything should be fine.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will be heading to the polls days after health officials confirmed community spread of COVID-19 in the capital’s metro region.

And although officials announced stricter health measures in St. John’s, shutting gyms, cinemas and bars, the chief electoral officer said Tuesday that voting day was still a go.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said Tuesday that going to a polling station where safety protocols are followed is no riskier than visiting a grocery store.