Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical health officer for New Brunswick, speaks during a news conference (File Photo: CPAC video capture)
Two regions of New Brunswick are moving back to the “orange” phase of recovery as the province deals with an influx of new COVID-19 cases.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health, announced Friday that Zone 1 (Moncton region) and Zone 5 (Campbellton region) will transition to the “orange” phase at midnight Friday night. The five remaining zones in the province will remain in the “yellow” phase of recovery.
Russell said they recommended Zone 1 return to the orange level due to “additional potential public exposures to the virus identified through the investigation of existing cases, instances of possible community transmission, and reports of low compliance with public health measures in some higher-risk settings.”
The recommendation for Zone 5, she said, is “due to a community outbreak involving several settings with potential exposures to the virus, instances of possible community transmission and reports of low compliance with public health measures in some higher-risk settings.”
The following rules apply to Zones 1 and 5:
- Two household bubble plus formal or informal caregivers and members of immediate family (parents, children, siblings and grand-parents) is permitted.
- Outdoor gatherings with physical distancing of 10 people or fewer are permitted. Physical distancing required in all other settings.
- Indoor religious services, weddings and funerals of 10 people or fewer are permitted.
- Face masks remain mandatory in all public spaces, both indoors and outdoors.
- Non-urgent medical procedures and elective surgeries allowed.
- Strict visitor restrictions are maintained in vulnerable settings.
- Primary care providers and regulated health professionals may operate utilizing virtual appointments whenever possible.
- Unregulated health professionals are allowed, however, close contact personal services such as barbers, hair stylists or spas are closed.
- Daycares and K to 12 schools are open under strict guidance, with virtual learning to be used for at-risk populations. Day camps are allowed.
- Post-secondary education can continue to operate.
- Outdoor recreational activities are allowed, including campgrounds, ATV or snowmobile trails. However, no organized sports are allowed.
- Gym and fitness facilities are closed, including other similar sport or recreational businesses or facilities.
- Casinos, amusement centres, bingo halls, arcades, cinemas and large live performance venues are closed.
- All other businesses, including food, beverage and retail, can operate under a COVID-19 operational plan. Record keeping for seated venues is a requirement.
The change comes as provincial health officials announced 13 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of active cases to 37.
Russell said 12 of the new cases are in the Campbellton region while the other case is in the Moncton region. All 13 cases remain under investigation.
She also noted that 150 people are currently self-isolating at home as a result of the outbreak at the Manoir Notre-Dame special care home in Moncton.
Ahead of Friday’s news conference, the Vitalite Health Network said 18 of its employees from the Restigouche region are currently in isolation, either because they have COVID-19 or were found to be close contacts through Public Health’s contact tracing.
Premier Blaine Higgs said the recommendation to return to the orange phase in Zone 1 and 5 was made because of more potential public exposures to the virus found through the investigation of new cases, possible community transmission and low compliance in some higher risk settings.
“The change to orange means that residents in these zones will need to stay within a two-household bubble. Unlike the previous version of the orange level, this bubble can extend to include caregivers and immediate family. Outdoor gatherings must be limited to 10 or fewer with physical distancing,” Higgs said.
The premier said it is not an easy choice to move any area of this province to orange.
“We must all use the tools available for us to slow down the spread of this virus. If everyone follows the simple rules in place, I am confident we can keep these cases contained and quickly flatten the curve again,” Higgs said.
