New Brunswick is reporting 65 new COVID-19 cases, as the province prepares to usher in new masking and proof of vaccination rules as of Tuesday night.
The policies come into effect at 11:59 p.m.
People will need to show proof of vaccination for certain events and businesses, such as restaurants, gyms, and movie theatres. Those who have a medical exemption will have to show proof.
A Moncton business owner says the new restrictions will help make his restaurant feel safer.
“We’re not the bad guy,” says Jamie Hynes, owner of Hynes Restaurant.
“We’re just following the rules, so don’t shoot the messenger. It’s high-risk. You’re on the front line, just like me at the door, you’re greeting people every day and you don’t know.”
According to Public Health, 77.9 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated, and 86.6 per cent have received their first dose.
During a briefing yesterday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell pleaded with New Brunswickers to get vaccinated, in order to protect the community and relieve strain on the health-care system.
“We need to make as much progress as we can as quickly as we can,” she said.
“It’s not about the volume of cases. It’s about who’s getting infected and the impact that this is having on our already strained health-care system.”
As of tonight, indoor masking will also be mandatory again for all public spaces, which includes weddings, funerals and public transportation.
Businesses or people who break these rules under the Public Health Act could be fined between $172.50 and $772.50.
Daniel Legere, the New Brunswick Federation of Labour president said he still wears his mask in indoor places and also supports the proof of vaccination requirement.
“I think it’s a responsible thing to do, both to protect the workers, as well as to protect the people that are visiting the establishment,” he said.
On Main Street in Moncton, people who spoke to Global News seemed to favour the return of the masks.
“It’s only to go inside the public places and I always kept on doing that anyways,” said Diane Arsenault. “I feel I’m responsible for a lot of people that I mingle with.”
“Masks should have been mandatory since day one,” said Kenneth Horn.
Moncton resident Ola Bourgeois also agreed with the idea.
“I just don’t want to pick up any virus to bring it to somebody that it would harm,” he said. “If I go into a crowd, I wear the mask. If I go into the store, I wear the mask.”
Masking has been required at schools and daycares for the last week.
As well, anyone entering the province must now pre-register through the New Brunswick Travel Registration Program.
Premier Blaine Higgs said Monday he’ll be meeting with Public Health this week “to determine next phases and if next steps are required.”
“We’re anxious to work through the numbers and decide what next steps are required, but that could include any of the restrictions that we had in the past,” he said.
New cases
Public Health is reporting 65 new cases and 40 recoveries on Tuesday. According to the province, 48 — or 73 per cent — of the new cases were not fully vaccinated.
There are 24 people hospitalized, with 15 in ICU.
The number of active cases in the province is now 509.
Positive cases have been confirmed in schools in zones 3 (Fredericton region) and 4 (Edmundston region). Close contacts are being notified by Public Health.
The affected schools are:
Zone 3 (Fredericton region)
- Carleton North High School in Florenceville-Bristol
- Meduxnekeag Consolidated School in Woodstock
- Andover Elementary School in Perth-Andover
- Perth-Andover Middle School in Perth-Andover
- Southern Victoria High School in Perth-Andover
Zone 4 (Edmundston region)
- École Marie-Gaétane in Kedgwick
- École Saint-Jacques in Edmundston
- John Caldwell School in Grand Falls
A breakdown of the new cases are as follows:
Zone 1 (Moncton region)
- four people 20-29
- two people 30-39
- three people 40-49
- a person 70-79
- a person 80-89
Seven cases are under investigation and four are contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Zone 2 (Saint John region)
- a person 20-29
- a person 70-79
One case is under investigation and the other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.
Zone 3 (Fredericton region)
- three people 19 and under;
- a person 20-29
- a person 30-39
- six people 40-49
- a person 50-59
- a person 60-69
- two people 80-89
Thirteen cases are under investigation and two are contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Zone 4 (Edmundston region)
- 10 people 19 and under
- a person 20-29
- three people 30-39
- two people 40-49
- three people 50-59
- a person 60-69
Fifteen cases are under investigation and five are contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Zone 5 (Campbellton region)
- seven people 19 and under
- two people 20-29
- three people 30-39
- a person 40-49
Four cases are under investigation and nine are contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Zone 6 (Bathurst region)
- a person 40-49
- a person 50-59
Both cases are under investigation.
Zone 7 (Miramichi region)
- two people 70-79
Both are contacts of previously confirmed cases.
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