FREDERICTON (GNB) – All of New Brunswick will move back to Level 2 of the winter plan to manage COVID-19 tonight at 11:59 p.m.

Businesses that needed to close under Level 3, including spas and salons, entertainment centres, gyms and restaurant dining rooms, will be permitted to reopen in Level 2 at 50 per cent capacity and with physical distancing. People must limit their contacts to a maximum of a Steady 10.

Guidance on formal gatherings has been changed in Level 2. There is no longer a limit on the number of people permitted, but venues are limited to 50 per cent capacity and people must remain seated and wear a mask at all times unless actively eating or drinking. Entertainment venues, such as theatres, sports venues, casinos, etc., can resume operating under Level 2 guidance.

Changes have also been introduced to sport, music and recreation activities in Level 2 to allow some activity to resume.

A full list of the changes is available online.

In-person learning to resume Monday

Public schools will resume full-time, in-person learning on Monday, as planned. The provincial plans for schools, which outlines measures to align with Public Health’s winter plan, will also take effect Monday.

Families are reminded that masks will be required indoors and outdoors, for all age groups, except for kindergarten-to-Grade 8 students who are within their grouping outdoors at Level 2. Students are reminded to bring their own mask to school; well-fitted, three-layer masks are recommended by Public Health. A supply of medical-grade masks, rated as KN95 or higher, have been secured for teachers and school staff as an option.

“We all have a role to play in keeping our schools as healthy and safe as possible,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy. “We are asking everyone in schools to co-operate to make sure everyone is wearing their mask properly throughout the day – over the nose and mouth. By following the guidelines, you are helping to keep school staff, students and others in the community healthy.”

Any student experiencing a new or worsening symptom should not attend school and register online for rapid tests. The full plans for kindergarten to Grade 8 and high schools are available online.

Regular updates on cases affecting schools will resume Monday on the Healthy and Safe Schools website.

Vaccination clinic updates

A pop-up, walk-in vaccination clinic will be held Monday in Saint John for people seeking their first, second or third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The clinic will operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 30 Thorne Ave. People attending this clinic are asked to bring their Medicare card, a record of vaccination if receiving their second dose or booster, and a signed consent form.

Due to the pending weekend storm, people are advised to monitor the websites and social media accounts of Horizon Health Network and/or Vitalité Health Network for any possible clinic cancellations.

Hospitalizations

All hospitalization statistics are now available online.

Four people with COVID-19 have died: a person 70-79 in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and three people 80-89 – one in Zone 2 (Saint John region), one in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) and one in Zone 6 (Bathurst region). Beginning Saturday, information on new deaths related to COVID-19 will be available on the dashboard.

COVID-19 dashboard

Daily COVID-19 news releases will no longer be issued, as data regarding hospitalizations, positive tests, vaccination rates and any deaths related to the virus is being made available on the COVID-19 dashboard. This information is updated daily. Advisories when the dashboard has been updated will be posted on the provincial government’s Facebook and Twitter accounts each day.

Learn more

The entire province remains in the Level 3 phase of the winter plan to manage COVID-19 until 11:59 p.m. More information on the COVID-19 alert system, including guidance on public health measures, restrictions and the mandatory order, is available online.

Other useful links:

 

28-01-22