As of Wednesday, eight new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in New Brunswick, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 26.
During a provincial update, Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said the cases are all related to travel.
Russell said the new cases involve individuals between the ages of 10 and 70.
“New Brunswick is testing more people and more widely,” said Russell. “So far, more than 700 tests have been conducted in the province.”
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She also noted that the current situation could take from 18 to 24 months to be resolved, as researchers seek to create a vaccine for the virus. For now, Russell stressed that people should stay at home as much as they possibly can.
As of Wednesday, Premier Blaine Higgs, who was also at the press briefing, announced there will be restrictions for all travellers coming from outside the province.
Higgs said all travellers, whether they’re coming from abroad or from other provinces, must self-isolate for 14 days.
READ MORE: New Brunswick has no new cases of coronavirus, majority of businesses complying to orders
“Unnecessary travels are no longer allowed,” he said.
Peace officers are authorized to turn away visitors when they attempt to enter.
“We must do all we can to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in New Brunswick,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “We are implementing screening at interprovincial borders. Regardless of where you are, we urge you to avoid any non-essential travel.”
Travellers entering the province from Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia will be stopped by peace officers and required to produce identification. Contact information and intended destinations are being collected and tracked for all travellers, including those travelling through New Brunswick to another province.
Like measures at the Canada-United States border, commercial traffic and essential employees will be exempt so that services are maintained and critical supplies can continue to move across provincial boundaries unimpeded. Police officers, firefighters, paramedics and members of the military will also be exempt from these measures.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
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