N.L. Delays Full Election After Covid-19 Outbreak Tied to U.K. Variant

(L-R) Liberal Leader Andrew Furey, Progressive Conservative Leader Ches Crosbie, and NDP Leader Alison Coffin sit prior to the start of their televised debate from the floor of the House of Assembly in St. John's N.L. on Feb. 3, 2021. The Canadian Press/Paul Daly

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Less than 12 hours before polls were set to open in much of the province, Newfoundland and Labrador’s chief electoral officer on Friday called off all in−person voting in response to a COVID−19 outbreak.

Bruce Chaulk announced voting in the provincial election set for Saturday will now be exclusively by mail, and ballots must be received by March 1.