Premiers Raise Hopes For Atlantic Bubble In April
There is renewed hope that the Atlantic Bubble will soon be reopened, and people can visit family and friends within the four regional provinces. Comments on Wednesday by New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs and Newfoundland and Labrador premier Andrew Furey suggest the new bubble could open as early as April.
At a press conference on Wednesday, held hours before the four Atlantic Premiers held a meeting to discuss the bubble, Furey said he was optimistic of his province being in it.
“I’m quite hopeful that we can get there in the timelines that they’re discussing. Our case numbers are going down, our positivity rates are lower than some of the other provinces within the Atlantic region,” said Furey. “So I’m quite hopeful to have a positive outcome in conjunction with the public health officers having their discussions, so we can move towards an Atlantic bubble, provided of course, the science supports it and it’s safe to do so.”
When asked if he believed Newfoundland and Labrador would be joining the Bubble in April, Furey said “I do.”
Saint John MP Wayne Long raised hopes Wednesday when he stated in a tweet that Higgs told Radio Canada the target date is April 19th.
Higgs didn’t mention that date specifically, but he told reporters after the meeting with the premiers Wednesday that a Maritime Bubble would open in mid-April. He said initially it would likely only include the Maritime provinces, not Newfoundland.
Despite Furey’s optimism, Nova Scotia’s Premier, Iain Rankin cast doubt that Newfoundland and Labrador will be in the initial bubble.
“I had preliminary discussions just with the Maritime provinces,” said Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin stated previously. “I haven’t contemplated Newfoundland at all at this point.”
No official government statement has been released on what was discussed or decided at Wednesday evening’s Premiers meeting.
With files from Tara Clow of 91.9 The Bend in Moncton, a Huddle content partner.