N.B. Announces List Of Businesses And Public Spaces That Must Close
FREDERICTON – New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health says numerous businesses and public spaces “must be closed,” effective Tuesday, until further notice.
In a press conference Monday in Fredericton, Dr. Jennifer Russell listed the following businesses and public assets she recommended be temporarily closed.
- libraries
- museums
- theatres and performance spaces
- swimming pools, spas, saunas and water parks
- arenas
- training centres and dance, spinning, zumba and yoga centres
- zoos and aquariums
- recreational sites such as ski hills, amusement parks, trampoline centres etc.
- cinemas and arcades
- bars and discos
- restaurants which offer buffets
- sugarbush operations open to the public
Public Health is also asking restaurant owners to limit the number of customers to 50 per cent of the capacity of their dining areas. Take-out orders, deliveries and drive-through services are permitted.
“It is imperative that everyone keep a distance of two metres (six feet) between themselves and others at all times,” said Russell. “Everyone must practise social distancing in all their interactions with neighbours, co-workers and fellow residents.”
Premier Blaine Higgs says temporary closures will be difficult for businesses, but the consequences of not acting now to slow the spread of the coronavirus could be worse the economy in the long run.
“I know it’s a significant hit to a company or a business but it could be a [even bigger] hit if we don’t manage this health crisis effectively,” said Higgs.
“At this point, I don’t think we’re going to go around counting tables in restaurants. But we’re relying on people looking at the overall public good and saying, ‘You know, I want to be a business here three months from now or six months from now, and I need to do my part.’ At this point, it’s asking everyone to be part of the solution.”
Child-care providers are also being urged to close with the exception of those that provide services to essential service workers such as health care workers.
Today’s announcements come as the province announced another presumptive COVID-19 case, giving a total of seven cases.
The latest case is a woman from 20 to 30 years old who lives in Zone 2 (between the St. Stephen area and the Sussex area) and recently travelled to Greece.
The patient was screened, treated, tested and is in self-isolation and her contacts are now being traced.
Russell says she is urging public sector employees to work from home wherever feasible and redeploying staff to focus on the most critical activities.
Private sector companies are also being encouraged to allow their employees to work from home.
Allan Dearing is a reporter with 91.9 The Bend, a Huddle content partner.
With files from Mark Leger of Huddle.