News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government announced guidelines today outlining the path toward the Green level of the COVID-19 recovery plan.

The plan includes three phases to slowly loosen restrictions, with target dates based on anticipated vaccination rates and low numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

“Green is coming and it is closer than we imagined,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “We are in this position thanks to the hard work being done across our province to roll out vaccines quickly and efficiently.”

The first phase is expected to come into effect on June 7, as long as at least 75 per cent of New Brunswickers 12 and older have received their first dose of a vaccine; hospitalizations remain low; and all health zones remain at the Yellow alert level.

In this phase, the guidelines will include the following:

• No isolation or testing will be required for those travelling to New Brunswick from Atlantic Canada and the Avignon and Témiscouata regions of Quebec, with the exception of Nova Scotia.

• Compassionate travel will be permitted with isolation and testing requirements in place.

• Cross border commuters and truck drivers will no longer be subject to testing and isolation requirements.

• Other workers, including rotational workers, travelling outside of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Avignon and Témiscouata will be required to isolate and take a COVID-19 test between days five and seven before they can discontinue isolation, unless they have an existing work-isolation plan.

• Contact with all family and friends will be permitted and restrictions will be loosened for indoor and outdoor gatherings.

• Organized sporting activities will be permitted, but restricted to teams based in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Avignon and Témiscouata.

• Faith gatherings can take place with a maximum 50 per cent venue capacity and with the choir at least four metres from the congregation.

All other restrictions will remain in place, including the requirement for travel registration and the use of masks, based on a health zone’s alert level.

The second phase is expected to come into effect on Canada Day, July 1, as long as 75 per cent of New Brunswickers 12 and older have received their first dose of a vaccine; 20 per cent of New Brunswickers 65 and older have received their second dose; hospitalizations remain low; and all health zones remain at the Yellow alert level.

In this phase, the guidelines will include the following:

• Travel registration will no longer be required for those in the Atlantic provinces, including Nova Scotia, or in Avignon and Témiscouata.

• Canadian travellers, as well as travellers from Maine, who have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, will be permitted into the province without needing to isolate.

• Canadian travellers, as well as travellers from Maine, who have not been vaccinated will be permitted to enter the province but will be subject to testing and isolation requirements.

• Businesses including restaurants, gyms and salons will be permitted to operate at regular capacity as long as they maintain a contact list of clients.

• Games and sporting competitions with teams based outside of Atlantic Canada will be permitted, subject to travel requirements.

• Beginning July 1, additional health and safety guidelines developed to respond to the pandemic will be relaxed for early learning and child-care facilities, with a full return to normal operations anticipated by Aug. 1. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will contact operators in the coming weeks to provide more information and to organize question and answer sessions.

Travel registration will still be required for travel outside of the Atlantic bubble, Avignon or Témiscouata, and the use of masks will still be required based on a health zone’s alert level.

The third phase is expected to come into effect on New Brunswick Day, Aug. 2, as long as 75 per cent of New Brunswickers 12 and older have received their second dose of a vaccine. At this time the province will move to the Green level, the mandatory order will end and all restrictions will be lifted.

“As we move forward on the path to the Green level, we will continue to prioritize the health and safety of New Brunswickers,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “If we see a rise in cases and hospitalizations, or if we do not reach our vaccination goals, we will have to delay our target dates.”

New Brunswick’s path to Green is available online.

Nine new cases

Public Health reported nine new cases of COVID-19 today. This includes one travel-related case of a New Brunswicker who is isolating outside the province.

The three cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

• an individual 40-49; and

• two people 60-69.

Two cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and the other case is related to travel.

The five cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) are as follows:

• an individual 20-29;

• an individual 50-59;

• an individual 60-69; and

• two people 70-79.

Four cases are contacts of a previously confirmed case. One case is related to travel and the individual is out of province.

The one case in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) is an individual 50-59. This case is under investigation.

“We will continue to have cases, and potentially sad outcomes,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “But as our vaccination rates rise, we hope that this will decrease. In the meantime, we must continue to keep our masks on, maintain physical distance and wash our hands.”

The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 2,172. Since yesterday, 10 people have recovered for a total of 1,995 recoveries. There have been 43 deaths, and the number of active cases is 137. Eight patients are hospitalized in total. Six patients are hospitalized in New Brunswick, including two in intensive care. Two patients are hospitalized out of province with one in an intensive care unit. Yesterday, 1,768 tests were conducted for a total of 329,398.

Exposure notifications

Public Health follows a standard process when addressing instances where the public may have been exposed to a case of COVID-19. In cases where record-keeping can identify anyone who may have been exposed, officials contact these individuals directly and do not issue a separate announcement. In cases where officials cannot be certain of exactly who may have been exposed to the virus in a given location, Public Health issues an announcement to alert those who could have been affected and provides instructions.

Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the virus at the following locations and dates in Zone 1 (Moncton region):

• Day & Ross Freight Terminal, 651 Frenette Ave., Moncton on Thursday, May 20, and Saturday, May 22.

• Wendy’s Restaurant, 85 Harrisville Blvd., Moncton, on Saturday, May 22, between noon and 8 p.m.

Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the virus at the following locations and dates in Zone 3 (Fredericton region):

• The Reps Gym, 401 Connell St., Woodstock, on Monday, May 17, Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19, between 8 p.m. and midnight.

• Capitol Building, 114 Queen St., Woodstock, on Monday, May 17, Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19.

• Day & Ross Freight Terminal, 398 Main St., Hartland, on Monday, May 17, Tuesday, May 18, Wednesday, May 19, Thursday, May 20, Friday, May 21 and Saturday, May 22.

Public Health has identified a positive case in a traveller who may have been infectious while on the following flights:

• Air Canada Flight 318 – from Calgary to Montreal, departed at 11:43 a.m. on May 15.

• Air Canada Flight 8904 – from Montreal to Moncton, departed at 6:52 p.m. on May 15.

Public Health is now offering COVID-19 testing for all New Brunswickers who have been in a public exposure area, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms. Residents may request a test online or call Tele-Care 811 to get an appointment at the nearest screening centre.

People experiencing one or more symptoms are also encouraged to get tested.

Reminder of Yellow level

All zones are in the Yellow level under the province’s mandatory order.