Island bars and restaurants dealing with their third dining room shutdown in the past 12 months got a break on Wednesday as they were allowed to reopen earlier than expected.

"We're thrilled that we can open the front door again right now," said Kent MacPhee, co-owner (with Kent Scales) of the Olde Dublin Pub and the Claddagh Oyster House, on Wednesday.

Reopening dining rooms is coming with some restrictions, such as only one group (or cohort) of 50 people, a maximum of six people per table (down from 10 people) and an earlier 10 p.m. closure time. Previously, establishments had to close at midnight. Non-essential businesses were also allowed to reopen.

P.E.I.'s first COVID-19 case was announced on March 14, 2020. Three days later, on March 17, the province shut down dining rooms and non-essential businesses until June 1. A second shut down (circuit breaker) was put in place from Dec. 7 to Dec. 18.