Fredericton region transitions to orange phase, Atlantic bubble pops
FREDERICTON — After an increase in COVID-19 cases, the Fredericton region transitioned back to the Orange phase of New Brunswick’s COVID-19 recovery plan. The announcement came less than two weeks after the Moncton and Saint John regions transitioned back to Orange.
On Thursday, the province announced 12 new cases of COVID-19: eight in the Saint John region (Zone 2), three in the Fredericton region (Zone 3) and one in the Moncton region (Zone 1). Cases in the Saint John region included one person under 19, one in their 20s, three in their 40s, one in their 60s and one in their 90s.
Cases from the Fredericton region involved two people under 19 and one in their 20s. The case in the Moncton region involved a person in their 20s.
At a press conference, Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health, said residents under 30 make up more than half of the province’s 105 active cases. She said she has seen many cases emerge through schools, pubs, health facilities and large gatherings.
“This has been a major contributor to the spread of the virus here and elsewhere in Canada,” said Russell. “Now is not the time for larger social gatherings. Keep your number of close contacts as small and consistent as possible.”
“To get Orange zones back into Yellow for Christmas, we need to cut non-essential activities as much as possible.”
Under revised rules for the Orange phase, residents must limit their contacts to a single household bubble and wear a face mask both inside and outside. Businesses can stay open as long as they follow a COVID-19 operational plan, like ensuring all patrons stay seated with their bubble.
Russell told reporters household bubbles could be extended to a caregiver, such as a close friend or neighbour, or an immediate family member who requires mental, social or emotional support. She said this bubble would be allowed to socialize with each other at restaurants and other venues like churches.
Premier Blaine Higgs said businesses like banks, hair salons and restaurants could continue to operate as long as residents follow the rules. The province’s main goal is to ensure it keeps the local economy and everyday life as normal as possible.
Higgs said New Brunswickers must be cognizant of each other and their own mannerisms while in public. He said while community transmission hasn’t been a factor in many cases in the province, the threat is real.
“We still need to keep the risk low and we can do that by following all of the public health rules,” said Higgs. “Protecting the health care system is important – we must ensure that our health care system does not become overloaded.”
Public Health also unveiled new measures to restrict travel between Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Effective Friday, all people travelling into the province are required to self-isolate for 14 days. However, exemptions are available for commercial vehicles, business trips, medical trips and child custody services.
All new guidelines are being enforced by police officers, peace officers and inspectors on patrol to ensure operational plans for businesses are in place and the public is following guidelines.
The St. Thomas University campus was a ghost town after the announcement. In an email to students, vice-president of academic and research Kim Fenwick and vice-president of finance and administration Lily Fraser said the school would continue with online classes. But, in-person study groups are cancelled until further notice.
The rules are expected to continue until the Fredericton region returns to the Yellow phase.
