Saint John Region Goes Back To ‘Orange’ Phase Of Recovery
FREDERICTON – The Saint John region (Zone 2) will go back to the stricter orange level of recovery starting midnight Friday.
“The number of cases in Zone 2 has doubled in the last two days, with seven new cases today. We’re seeing transmission in community settings in this zone, including recreational facilities, healthcare and long term care institutions,” says New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell.
Public Health also declared an outbreak at Shannex Tucker Hall, an adult residential facility in the Millidgeville area of Saint John. Contact tracing is underway, and testing of staff and residents began Friday.
Premier Blaine Higgs said approximately 300 people are self-isolating in the area currently, but the number is expected to rise.
“If we can’t get the number under control quickly in the Saint John region, we might have to move it to the red level, if necessary,” he said.
RELATED: Moncton Area Returns To Orange Phase Of Recovery With New Cases
Under the orange level, “no informal gatherings outside the household bubble is permitted,” said Higgs.
There are currently 51 active cases in New Brunswick, with one person in the hospital. Nine new cases were reported today, with two cases in the Moncton region, and seven in the Saint John area.
Casual gatherings at home or in private functions were the main culprit.
“Too often people are gathering with one group in one night, and completely another group another night. This has led to the situation we are currently in,” said Higgs.
Russell said it’s “vitally important” that people in both Zones 1 and 2 limit their close contacts and follow public health guidance. She also “strongly recommends” the same for regions under the yellow level of recovery.
Non-essential travel in and out of the zones is also restricted.
Public Health announced three potential exposures in Saint John:
- Rocky Sports Bar on 7 Market Square, between 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 14, and between 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 and 1:30 a.m. on Nov.15;
- Big Tide Brewing Company on 47 Princess St. between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 16; and
- Java Moose on 84 Prince William St. People between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 16.
Two potential public exposures in Moncton were also announced:
- The Keg Steakhouse and Bar on 576 Main St. between 7:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 17; and
- The fitness room at CEPS Louis-J. Robichaud on 40 Antonine-Maillet Avenue. No specific time information was included.
Balancing Economic Recovery And Safety
Higgs encouraged people to continue supporting local businesses because “it’s important for our economy, it’s important that we continue to operate as normally as possible.”
“But we cannot do so when mass gatherings are threatening us moving tighter and tighter controls in order to keep our curve flat,” he said.
He called on businesses, especially places of gathering like restaurants, bars, cinemas and shopping centres, “to do everything they can to follow the directions of public health.”
He encouraged retailers to spread out their sale days this holiday season, including the upcoming Black Friday, to prevent large amounts of customers shopping in one day.
Russell also encourages people to plan their holiday shopping and go during low traffic periods.
When asked whether the Atlantic Bubble could change, Higgs said it’s more likely that PEI would be considering enforcing their borders to maintain the low amount of cases. But he doesn’t expect any drastic changes to the bubble.
“We haven’t had any discussions about the bubble changing at this stage, but I’d expect you’d see maybe minor tweaking in individual provinces on border controls, and doesn’t necessarily change the whole bubble but it likely will cause some strengthening on that individual borders,” he said.
RELATED: Nova Scotia Targets Metro Halifax With New Gathering Limits, Rules For Bars
New Regulations For Recovery Levels
The government announced changes to the Orange and Yellow phases of recovery on Wednesday. The following guidelines and restrictions are now in place for the Moncton and Saint John regions:
- Single household bubble plus formal or informal caregivers of members of immediate family (parents, children, siblings and grandparents).
- 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.
With files from Liam Floyd.
Inda Intiar is a reporter for Huddle. Send her story suggestions: [email protected]