Fredericton Region Moves To The ‘Orange’ Phase
FREDERICTON – New Brunswick Public Health has recommended the Fredericton region (Zone 3) move to the Orange level of the province’s Covid-19 recovery plan.
The change will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, November 27. The Saint Jone region (Zone 2) and the Moncton region (Zone 1) are already in the “orange” phase.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell says the move is necessary given the rising number of cases in that region.
Also as of Friday, November 27, Dr. Russell says all non-essential travellers entering New Brunswick will have to self-isolate for 14 days. The Atlantic Travel Bubble is essentially over.
“The normal exemptions will continue. Commercial vehicles, work, business, medical.
Child custody and childcare. All of those areas where we have routine activities where it’s known,” said Premier Blaine Higgs.
Public Health is reporting 12 new cases in the province today. In the Saint John region (Zone 2), there are eight new cases (breakdown to come).
In the Fredericton region (Zone 3), there are three new cases: two individuals under 19 and one individual in their 20s.
In the Moncton region (Zone 1), there is one new case: someone in their 20s.
New Brunswick now has 105 active cases of the virus and one person remains in hospital.
Krista Ross, the CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, says she understands the government’s decision to move Fredericton to the “orange” phase and encourages people to do what they can to support area businesses.
“Our collective priority has to be getting the virus back under control so that citizens and businesses can get back to a more normal life,” said Ross in an e-mail statement.
“In the meantime, we must do everything we can to help our local businesses and that is going to require an intentional community response to come together and support our businesses while following Public Health guidelines. Businesses have been finding creative and innovative ways to serve their customers throughout the pandemic – we encourage everyone to reach out to them.”
The following guidelines and restrictions are now in place for the regions in the “orange” phase of recovery:
- 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.
More to come.
Allan Dearing is a reporter with 91.9 The Bend, a Huddle content partner.
With files from Liam Floyd of Huddle and Tamara Steele of Country 94.