N.B. COVID-19 roundup: ‘Path to green’ unveiled, 9 new cases

New Brunswick unveiled its « path to green » and announced nine new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.

Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said all restrictions could be lifted by Aug. 2, New Brunswick Day, if 75 per cent of the eligible population aged 12 and over have been fully vaccinated by then and COVID-related hospitalizations remain low.

« Green is coming, » she said, calling it « exciting. »

« I’m sure some questioned whether this day would ever arrive. »

The first phase of the plan will begin June 7 if at least 75 per cent of the eligible population have received their first dose of a COVID vaccine and all zones are at the yellow COVID alert level, said Shephard.

If those conditions are met, a number of changes will come into effect, including no mandatory isolation or testing for those travelling within Atlantic Canada and the border Quebec regions of Avignon and Témiscouata, with the exception of Nova Scotia. Travel registration will still be required.

Compassionate travel, such as travel related to end of life, funerals, and providing or receiving care, including child care not otherwise available, will be permitted for individuals from Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Avignon, and Témiscouata with isolation and testing required on days five to seven and released with a negative test.

Cross-border commuters and truckers will no longer be subject to testing and isolation requirements.

Other workers travelling from outside Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Avignon and Témiscouata , and those moving to New Brunswick and New Brunswickers who travel outside of the area, must isolate with testing on days five to seven and released with a negative test, unless that person is under an existing work isolation plan. This includes rotational workers.

In addition, the steady 15 will be eliminated. New Brunswickers will be allowed contact with all family and friends in yellow alert levels.

Indoor informal gatherings will be limited to 20 people, while indoor formal gatherings can be up to 50 per cent capacity with an operational plan. Outdoor gatherings are permitted with two meters of distancing.

Organized sporting activities will be permitted, with games and competitions restricted to players and teams based in Atlantic Canada, Avignon and Témiscouata.

Faith gatherings will also be permitted with an operational plan of up to 50 per cent venue capacity and the choir four metres away from the congregation.

Phase 2 will begin July 1 if at least 20 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 65 or over have received their second dose, said Shephard.

Registration for travel within Atlantic Canada, Avignon and Témiscouata will no longer be required, and Nova Scotia will be included.

This is about giving everyone the strength to stay on course for a few more weeks.– Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health

Travellers from across Canada with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed into the province with no isolation required. The same will apply to travellers from Maine, pending changes to the federal regulations, Shephard said.

Those who have not been vaccinated will also be permitted to enter the province, but will be required to isolate with testing on day five to seven and released with a negative test.

International travellers with two doses will not be required to isolate, pending changes to federal regulations, and designated isolation hotels will no longer be required.

Businesses, such as restaurants, gyms and salons, will be allowed to operate at full capacity if they maintain a contact list of patrons, she said. Masks will still be required when it’s not possible to maintain a distance of two metres, if patrons are not eating or drinking.

« I want to remind everyone that these dates are goals and they are subject to change, based on our vaccination rates and the number of hospitalizations, » said Shephard.

Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health, said releasing the plan does not put the province at the finish line of its « pandemic journey. » COVID-19 will continue even after the green phase.

« But it is a message of hope, » she said. « This is about giving everyone the strength to stay on course for a few more weeks. »

Premier Blaine Higgs said « the finish line is indeed now in sight. »

« We just need to make it through this final sprint. »

He encouraged New Brunswickers to continue to show the rest of the world what the province can accomplish when everyone works together.

P.E.I. to reopen Atlantic bubble June 27

P.E.I. unveiled its reopening plan, called Moving Forward, on Thursday.

The island plans to welcome visitors from the other Atlantic provinces starting June 27, without requiring any self-isolation period, as long as they provide a self-declaration form they’ve received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Premier Dennis King said he expects all Atlantic provinces will be « pretty much aligned » around then, and they are all working on « similar dates. » He said the four premiers talked about the issue Wednesday night.

Earlier this month, Higgs said he believes the Atlantic bubble could reopen by July 1.

The Atlantic bubble allows travel within the four Atlantic provinces without the need to self-isolate.

The four Atlantic premiers had planned to reopen the bubble on May 3, but talks were suspended, given COVID-19 outbreaks in the region, accelerated by emerging variants of concern.

137 active cases

New Brunswick has 137 active cases of COVID-19, the chief medical officer of health announced Thursday.

Eight people are in hospital, including three in intensive care. Two of these people are hospitalized outside the province, said Dr. Jennifer Russell.

The breakdown of the nine new cases is as follows:

Moncton region, Zone 1, three cases:

Two of these are contacts of existing cases and one is travel-related.

Fredericton region, Zone 3, five cases:

Four of these are contacts of existing cases and one is travel-related and the person is isolating outside the province.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, one case:

This case is under investigation.

New Brunswick has had 2,172 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. There have been 1,991 recoveries so far and 43 COVID-related deaths

Mandatory testing for some long-term care workers

The province announced mandatory COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated long-term care workers in some homes Thursday, citing « unacceptable » low vaccination rates.

Starting Monday, unvaccinated workers will be required to take a rapid COVID-19 test every other day if they’re working in a facility where less than half the staff have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, said Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch.

« We have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable seniors in our province, » he said in a statement.

Of the province’s 563 long-term care homes, vaccination rates at 99 of them remain below 50 per cent, according to the most recent reports, the minister said.

This means about 1,100 workers have not yet received at least one dose of a vaccine, Fitch said, calling the situation « unacceptable. »

« There are still outbreaks occurring in long-term care facilities, and this is putting the health of many seniors at risk, » he said. « We have no choice but to impose additional measures to protect the residents living in these facilities. »

Last week, Premier Blaine Higgs said he was seeking a legal opinion on whether the province could make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for long-term care home employees and other health-care workers.

The province was also considering identifying long-term care homes where an insufficient number of workers have received the vaccine, so families can decide if it’s safe to put their loved ones there, he had said.

On Thursday, the Department of Social Development launched a web page showing the total number of long-term care facilities per health zone and the vaccination rates per zone.

It indicates a total of 73.5 per cent of staff have received at least one dose or intend to get the vaccine.

The Edmundston region, Zone 4, and Bathurst region, Zone 6, have the highest percentage of unvaccinated workers, both at 28 per cent, according to the website.

The Fredericton region, Zone 3, has the most workers who have gotten their shots, with only two per cent showing as unvaccinated.

Details of Explore NB program released

The province has released the details of its summer Explore NB Travel Incentive Program, which pays New Brunswickers who « staycation » in order to help support the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents can apply for a 20 per cent rebate on eligible expenses up to $1,000 for travel that includes a paid overnight stay between May 27 and Oct. 31.

The government will spend $4.5 million in 2021-22 to renew the program, which was created last summer, when COVID restrictions kept many New Brunswickers from leaving the province and prevented tourists from visiting.

« We are happy to be able to offer this program once again to residents, » Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace said in a statement.

« It has helped support many tourism businesses across the province and has helped New Brunswickers to discover new places and hidden gems. It has truly made it possible for many people to continue to explore their province over the past year. »

Eligible expenses include:

• Accommodations, such as at hotels, motels, inns, B&Bs and campsites.
• Food and drink at restaurants and food trucks.
• Activities, such as entrance fees to attractions, museums, art galleries, cultural events and outdoor adventure activities.
• Travel expenses such as for vehicle rentals, ferries and parking.

« Accommodations only found on Facebook Marketplace and/or Kijiji are NOT eligible, » the program’s website states.

Applications can be submitted from July 5 to Nov. 30. Valid and detailed receipts from registered New Brunswick businesses are required.

Although the Department of Tourism was still processing a backlog of claims from last summer as recently as April, it will start processing applications for the renewed program on July 5, according to the website.

« Multiple applications will be accepted from one applicant, but the maximum rebate for any one individual remains at $200. »

Latest public exposures

Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the virus at the following locations and dates:

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Moxie’s Grill and Bar, 10 Wyse St., Moncton, on May 21 between 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Tim Hortons, 170 St. George Blvd., Moncton, on May 21 between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and May 23 between 8 a.m. and noon.
• A&W, 6 Champlain St., Dieppe, on May 21 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Codiac Transpo City Bus #60, on May 21 between 7:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• Codiac Transpo City Bus #51, on May 21 between 7:15 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Downtown Optometry Clinic, 169 Dundonald St., Fredericton, on May 20 between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m
• The Head Shoppe, 1381 Regent St., Fredericton, on May 21 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

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.

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

Previous public exposures

Public Health previously reported the following potential public exposures:

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Extreme Windows, 80 Loftus St., Moncton, on May 18, May 19, May 20 and May 21 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Subway, 100 Morton Ave., Moncton, on May 19 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.
• TD Bank, 525 Regis St., Dieppe, on May 22 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Arthurette General Store, 1450 Route 109, Red Rapids, on May 11 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., May 16 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and May 21 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. 
• Save Easy, A-24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover, on May 11, May 14, May 15, and May 21 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Grant’s Service Centre, 1151 W. Riverside Dr., Perth-Andover, on May 13 between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• NB Liquor, 26F Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover, on May 13 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Lewis Pharmacy, 14F Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover, on May 11 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., and May 14 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Squeaky’s Convenience, 2-18F Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover, on May 14 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• Castle Building Supplies, 24B Columbus St., Perth-Andover, on May 14 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and May 20 between noon and 5:30 p.m.
• Aldo Shoes, 1381 Regent St., on May 19, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Le Château, 1381 Regent St., on May 19, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Lawtons Drugs, 1381 Regent St., on May 19 and May 20, between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., on May 21, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Dollarama, 1033 Prospect St., on May 21, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Giant Tiger, 1160 Smythe St., on May 21 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., Fredericton on Saturday, May 15, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Walmart Supercentre, 1399 Regent St., Fredericton on Sunday, May 16, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart, 1040 Prospect St., Fredericton on Sunday, May 16, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Walmart, 125 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton on Monday, May 17, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Dollarama, 125 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton on Monday, May 17, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Sobeys Fast Fuel, 530 Brookside Dr., Fredericton on Monday, May 17, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Fadi’s Pizza, 312 Main St., Fredericton on Tuesday, May 18, between noon and 2 p.m.
• Fredericton Regional Centre, 300 St. Mary’s St., on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 116 Main St., Fredericton on Wednesday, May 19, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Other public exposures

Public Health said the dates of a previously reported public exposure at the Fredericton YMCA daycare were incorrect. The correct dates are:

• Fredericton YMCA daycare, 570 York St., Fredericton, on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19

Fredericton region:

• Christ Church (Parish) Church, 245 Westmorland St., Fredericton, Sunday, May 16, 10:30 a.m. service.
• Hope City Church, 429 Clements Dr., Fredericton, on Sunday, May 16, 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. services.
• Petro Canada, 20 Royal Rd., Fredericton, on Tuesday, May 18, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Home Depot, 1450 Regent St., Fredericton, Wednesday, May 19, between 5 and 7 p.m.
• Scholten’s, 325 Sunset Dr., Fredericton, on May 17 between 4 and 8 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 116 Main St., Fredericton, on May 16 between 9 and 11 a.m.
• Crowne Plaza Fredericton, 659 Queen St., Fredericton, on May 15 between 3 p.m. and May 16 at noon.
• Riverbend Golf Club, 541 Route 628, Durham Bridge,on May 15, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Penniac Ultramar, 22 Route 628, on May 15, between 9 and 11 a.m. and between 2 and 4 p.m.
• Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market, 665 George St., on May 15 between 10 a.m. and noon
• Moores Clothing, 1150 Prospect St., on May 15, between 11 a.m. and noon.
• Home Depot, 1450 Regent St., on May 15, between noon and 1 p.m.
• Crowne Plaza Fredericton, 659 Queen St., between 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, and noon on Sunday, May 16.
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., Fredericton, on Friday, May 14, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• CJ Munn Equipment, 1095 Hanwell Rd., Fredericton, on Friday, May 14, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• McMath Law Office, 406 Regent St., on May 14, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
• Fredericton Mitsubishi, 327 St. Mary’s St., on May 14, between 10:45 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Pizza Delight, 243 St. Mary’s St., on May 14, between noon and 2 p.m.
• The Abbey Café, 546 Queen St., on May 14, between noon and 12:30 p.m.
• Scotiabank, 490 King St., on May 14, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Sobeys, 1180 Prospect St., on May 14, between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Cannon’s Cross Pub, 15 Riverside Dr., on May 14, between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• McDonald’s Restaurant, 1177 Prospect St., on May 14, between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
• Cal’s Independent Grocer, 135 Otis Dr., Nackawic, on May 14, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Irving Big Stop Blue Canoe restaurant, 415 Nevers Rd., Waasis, on May 14, between 10:30 a.m. and noon.
• Progressive Credit Union, 395 Connell Rd., Woodstock, on May 13, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Giant Tiger, 1160 Smythe St., on May 13, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Scholten’s, 325 Sunset Dr., on May 13, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., on May 12, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and May 13, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• A&W, 1018 Prospect St., Fredericton, on May 12, between noon and 2 p.m.
• NB Power, 515 King St., on May 12, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Sobeys Fast Fuel, 530 Brookside Dr., on May 12, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• University of New Brunswick Fredericton campus, residence administration building, 20 Bailey Dr., Fredericton, on May 11 and May 12, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Sobeys, 463 Brookside Dr., Fredericton, on May 11, between 6 and 8 p.m.
• Tony Pepperoni, 510 Brookside Dr., on May 11, between 5 and 7 p.m.
• The Drome, 301 Main St., on May 11, between 8:45 and 11 p.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart, 1040 Prospect St., on May 11, from 9 to 10 a.m.
• Hilton Garden Inn Hotel and the Pickle Jar Restaurant, 620 Queen St., from May 11 to May 16.
• Tim Hortons drive-thru, Regent Street, on May 10, at 1:30 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 471 Smythe St, on May 10, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and May 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, 700 Priestman St., on May 10-11.
• Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, 800 Priestman St., on May 10-11.
• Veterans Health Unit, 680 Priestman St., on May 10-11.
• Wolastoq Wharf, 527 Union St., on May 9, between noon and 2:30 p.m.
• Northside Market, 170 Main St., on May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Irving Oil, 181 King St., on May 9, from 8 to 10 p.m.
• Dollarama, 5 Trinity Dr., on May 9, from noon to 2 p.m.
• NB Liquor, 18 Trinity Dr., on May 9, from noon to 5 p.m.
• Home Sense, 18 Trinity Dr., on May 9, from noon to 5 p.m.
• Delta Fredericton, 225 Woodstock Rd., on May 6-12.
• STMR. 36 Restaurant – Delta Fredericton, 225 Woodstock Rd., on May 6-12.

Moncton region:

• Costco Wholesale, 140 Granite Dr., Moncton, on May 9, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Edmundston region:

• Tim Hortons, 54 Canada St., Saint-Quentin, on May 16, between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
• Jean Coutu, 177 Victoria St., on May 15, between noon and 1 p.m.

Bathurst region:

• Tim Hortons, 1420 Vanier Blvd., Bathurst, on May 16, between 5 and 7 p.m.

Flight exposures

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

• Air Canada 314 – from Vancouver to Montreal, departed at 11:24 p.m. on May 11.
• Air Canada 8902 – from Montreal to Moncton, departed at 1:06 p.m. on May 12.
• Air Canada 8946 from Toronto to Moncton, departed at 8:47 p.m. on May 10.

What to do if you have a symptom

People concerned they might have COVID-19 symptoms can take a self-assessment test online. 

Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included:

• Fever above 38 C.

• New cough or worsening chronic cough.

• Sore throat.

• Runny nose.

• Headache.

• New onset of fatigue, muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell.

• Difficulty breathing.

In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.

People with one of those symptoms should: