Moncton Area Returns To Orange Phase Of Recovery With New Cases
FREDERICTON – Dr. Jennifer Russell and Premier Blaine Higgs announced the Moncton region will be returning to the orange phase effective midnight on Thursday.
Dr. Russell announced four new cases in the province, bringing the total number of provincial active cases to 44. Three new cases are located in Zone 1 (Moncton Area) – two aged 20-29 and one aged under 19. In Zone 2 (Saint John), the province is reporting one new case aged 30-39.
“Evidence and our data is now telling us we have good reason to be concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in New Brunswick, particularly in Zone 1, which is the Moncton region,” said Dr. Russell.
Public Health also declared an outbreak at Oasis Residence, an adult residential facility in Dieppe following a confirmed case on Wednesday, November 18. Public Health has started an investigation and is conducting contact tracing and testing of the facility’s residents and staff.
Prior to the press conference, Rocky Sports Bar in Saint John announced a possible exposure on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14.
Dr. Russell also announced new restrictions for workers from outside the Atlantic Bubble. Workers entering the province reason will be required to self-isolate upon return. If they test negative on day five of isolation, they will be permitted to leave self-isolation. However, they will be required to be tested again between days 10-12 of entering the province.
RELATED: Saint John Region Goes Back To ‘Orange’ Phase Of Recovery
This measure is to prevent false negatives, where workers would return to the province and test negative before testing positive days later.
All other travelers to the province are still required to self-isolate for 14 days.
“Recent news about a vaccine is promising but it will not be available until next year. In the meantime we need to buy some time and get any outbreaks under control quickly,” said Premier Blaine Higgs.
Dr. Russell also encouraged everyone in the province to limit close contacts to six individuals, calling them your “safe six” in order to limit close contacts.
New Regulations For Recovery Levels
Changes to the Orange and Yellow phases were also announced. The following guidelines and restrictions are now in place for the Moncton region:
- Single household bubble plus formal or informal caregivers of members of immediate family (parents, children, siblings and grand-parents).
- Outdoor gatherings with physical distancing of 25 people or fewer. Physical distancing required in all other settings.
- Essential travel only is recommended in and out of Orange level zones, however, people can continue to travel within the province for work, school, essential errands and medical appointments.
- Indoor religious observances, funerals, celebrations of life, marriage ceremonies, receptions and social gatherings of more than 25 persons are prohibited.
- Unregulated health professionals, barbers, hair stylists or spas may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan, with enhanced public health measures such as active screening of patrons, closed waiting rooms, and enhanced barriers.
- Wearing face masks is mandatory in public spaces, both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor public spaces include parks, playgrounds, markets, festival sites, dog parks, and walking trails. A mask is not required while walking, jogging or cycling with people in the same bubble, where they are unlikely to come within two metres of people from outside their bubble.
- Non-urgent medical procedures and elective surgeries allowed.
- Strict visitor restrictions maintained in vulnerable settings.
- Primary care providers and regulated health professionals may operate utilizing virtual whenever possible.
- Daycares and K to 12 schools are open under strict guidance, virtual to be used for at-risk populations. Day camps are allowed.
- Post-secondary education can operate.
- Recreational and sport organizations may operate but are limited to practices and/or skills and drills within a single team.
- Gym and fitness facilities may continue operating under a COVID-19 operational plan with additional health measures including two meters of physical distancing, masks, active screening and record keeping, and closed locker rooms and common areas.
- Entertainment venues such as casinos, amusement centres, bingo halls, arcades, cinemas and large live performance facilities may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan. The occupancy limit is set at 50 or fewer, depending upon the size of the venue and the ability to ensure two metres of physical distancing, with continuous mask use and record keeping.
- All other businesses, including food, beverage and retail, may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan. Distancing of two metres is required where food and beverages are served. Record keeping for seated venues is a requirement. Single household bubbles must be maintained. For example, people may not sit with people from another household at a restaurant.
The following are the new changes for zones in the Yellow Phase:
- Informal indoor gatherings of up to 20 people are permitted, and close contacts should be limited to a consistent list of family and friends.
- Sports teams can continue to play, following their operational plan, and tournaments or larger events may be permitted, subject to the approval of a plan.
- Faith venues can continue to be open as long as one metre of distance is maintained, and everyone is wearing a mask. Masks must be worn, and two metres of distance must be in place, for singing to be permitted – otherwise, no singing is allowed.
“If we are not careful, we will face the same bleak outlook as most other jurisdictions in North America. Rapidly climbing caseloads, more sickness and death, and significant interventions to stop the progress of this disease,” said Dr. Russell.
Liam Floyd is a reporter for Huddle. Send him story suggestions: [email protected].