New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs announces new COVID-19 restrictions on Oct. 5, 2021. (Image: YouTube video capture)
New Brunswick is toughening its stance on COVID-19 as it grapples with triple the amount of cases we have in Nova Scotia.
It’s putting “circuit-breaker” measures into place for two weeks for COVID hotspots, including the Moncton, Fredericton, and Edmundston regions.
People living in those zones will have to limit their contacts to a single-household for at least two weeks.
Travel to and from these areas will not be allowed unless it’s for work, school, health services, or child care.
Schools will remain open with restrictions. Places where proof of vaccination is required will also be able to continue to operate, like businesses, entertainment centres, and events.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell says the new measures are necessary as the health-care system has been stretched thin by the surge in cases.
“We have seen an unprecedented number of deaths, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions over the last month, more than at any time since the pandemic began,” says Russell. “New Brunswick has also seen record numbers of new cases and active cases.”
Public Health announced 90 new cases of the virus on Monday along with another COVID connected death.
It won’t be a normal Thanksgiving there either, temporary measures will come into effect for the entire province this weekend.
“Our greatest concern right now would be casual in-home gatherings,” Premier Blaine Higgs says. “Social gatherings of unvaccinated New Brunswickers are driving our current situation.”
The long weekend restrictions launch at 6 p.m. on Friday and will continue until midnight on Monday.
New Brunswick has 782 active cases province-wide.
With files from Tamara Steele, Robert Lothian, and Brad Perry.
