N.B. Government Reinstates Emergency Order
FREDERICTON – With cases and hospitalizations on the rise, the province will reinstate the state of emergency order as of 11:59 p.m. on Friday night, meaning a return to family bubbles, reduced public gatherings in indoor spaces and maintaining a small number of close contacts.
Three more New Brunswickers have died as a result of Covid-19.
Two people in the Moncton zone, one in their 70s and the other in their 80s, have died. A person over the age of 90 in the Edmundston zone has also died. 78 new cases were added on Friday, and the number of active cases is 573.
There are eight new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region), six new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region), 28 new cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region), 22 new cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region), and 13 new cases in Zone 5 (Campbellton region).
31 people are in hospital due to the virus, with 15 in intensive care.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said we are seeing new cases in every corner of our province.
She added the pace of this fourth wave is beyond what we anticipated but by acting now we can reduce the impact on the healthcare system.
Premier Blaine Higgs said the province will reinstate the state of emergency order as of 11:59 p.m. Friday night.
Higgs mentioned the move is necessary because of the current spike in cases, and going forward, hospitalizations will be the main trigger.
“The mandatory order will go into effect when we have 25 or more people hospitalized due to Covid-19 in New Brunswick a situation we’re in today with 31 people in hospital.”
There is also a return to household bubbles, which includes one household plus up to 20 consistent contacts known as the “steady 20”.
“We need all New Brunswickers to take urgent action, regardless of vaccination status, to slow the spread of Covid-19, this is why these measures and the return to the mandatory order are required,” added Higgs.
There will be spot checks at borders and businesses, and fines will be issued if businesses or individuals do not comply with the rules.
The following additional measures will be implemented under the mandatory order:
- People must limit their contacts to their household plus 20 consistent contacts.
- Indoor private gatherings will be limited to 20 consistent contacts.
- There will be no limits on outdoor gatherings, as long as physical distancing is maintained.
- Businesses and events where people gather or exercise, including museums, cinemas, theatres, bingo halls, casinos, amusement centres, arenas, game rooms, pools halls, live entertainment venues, weddings, funerals, gyms, yoga studios and similar venues must ensure all employees are fully vaccinated or are continuously masked and tested regularly. Patrons and participants entering such events remain required to be fully vaccinated.
- Physical distancing is required at businesses, services or events where proof of vaccination is not required, such as grocery and retail stores, private businesses and libraries.
- Faith venues have the option to either ensure all participants show proof of full vaccination, or implement the following measures:
- operate at 50 per cent capacity;
- maintain physical distancing;
- ensure continuous mask use;
- record names of all attendees or have assigned seating;
- eliminate singing from services; and
- prevent anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms and those who have been instructed to self-isolate from entering.
Fines can range between $480 to $20,400.
Tamara Steele is a reporter with CHSJ/Country 94, Huddle content partners.