New Brunswick Delays Second Yellow Phase Re-openings Amid Campbellton Outbreak
FREDERICTON – New Brunswick Public Health reported three new cases of Covid-19 today and all are in the Campbellton region (Zone 5).
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell says these new cases are connected to the three cases previously announced in Zone 5.
The three new cases are an individual under age 19, an individual in their 40’s and an individual over age 90.
Dr. Russell believes there will likely be more cases in that region in the days ahead.
Public Health has placed Zone 5 back into the Orange phase.
A medical professional has been identified as one of the cases in the cluster and officials say the individual went to Quebec and did not self-isolate when they returned to New Brunswick.
While the rest of the province is now in the Yellow phase, Premier Blaine Higgs announced today that further reopenings in this phase which were scheduled for tomorrow – May 29 – will be delayed until next Friday, June 5. This will allow for the time required to determine the extent of the current outbreak.
Activities being delayed include outdoor public gatherings of 50 people or fewer, indoor religious services, including weddings and funerals, of 50 people or fewer; and low-contact team sports.
The openings of swimming pools, saunas, waterparks, gyms, yoga and dance studios, rinks and indoor recreational facilities, and pool halls and bowling alleys have also been delayed.
However, temporary foreign workers will continue to be permitted, with mandatory self-isolation for 14 days upon entry. Higgs had previously announced that the workers would be allowed to re-enter the province on May 29.
Higgs has also extended the provincial state of emergency for another 14 days.
Border restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
Allan Dearing is a reporter with 91.9 The Bend, a Huddle content partner.