A two-week lockdown has been imposed in New Brunswick, with a series of health restrictions starting this Saturday, as the province moves to phase 3 of its winter plan in response to COVID-19.
Public gatherings are prohibited and people must stay within their single-household family bubble. This bubble can, however, be expanded to include, for example, caregivers or someone to look after the children.
“This bubble must remain the same throughout phase 3,” however, specifies the government of New Brunswick in a press release.
Gyms, recreation or entertainment centers, spas and places of worship are notably closed.
The measure also applies to restaurant rooms which can no longer accommodate their customers, but restaurants can remain open for take-out orders, delivery, or drive-thru.
Retail businesses can remain open at 50% capacity and physical distancing measures.
All regions of New Brunswick are moving into Phase 3 of the COVID-19 winter response plan, which will remain in effect until January 30 at 11:59 p.m.
“I am asking all New Brunswickers to do their part for the next two weeks, including scheduling their booster dose if five months have passed since they received their second dose,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Russell at a press conference on Friday.
In particular, she pointed out that children currently represent the largest group of unvaccinated people and that this group is under-vaccinated.
“If you haven’t already, please schedule an appointment for your children to be vaccinated, especially those between the ages of five and 11, before in-person learning resumes,” he said. she adds.
New Brunswick Public Health said Friday that four more deaths have been added to the death toll which now stands at 182 deaths related to COVID-19 in the province. A hundred people are hospitalized because of the disease, including 11 people who are in the intensive care unit.