Due to a recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases and exposure, Saint John will move to the orange level effective November 20 at midnight.
According to the Saint John – Rothesay MP, Wayne Long, the provincial government said that Zone 2 (Saint John) would go to the orange level of public health restrictions effective Friday, November 20 at midnight on Facebook.
“The number of COVID – 19 in Zone 2 has double in the last 2 days, with 7 new cases reported in our region today,” said Long. “The premier has warned that if we do not get the numbers of cases in our region under control quickly, the provincial government may have to move our region to the Red Level of public Health restrictions.”
The Facebook post also mentioned Dr. Jennifer Russell, who indicated that there was “a super spreader event” involved in the number of cases and “many healthcare workers were involved in this event”.
More information about the new cases can be found here.
Orange level restrictions
Notable new restrictions in the Facebook post include:
- Single household bubbles.
- Outdoor gatherings, with physical distancing, limited to 25 people.
- Faith venues can operate under a COVID-19 operational plan.
- Public Transit will continue to operate.
- Recreational and sport organizations are allowed to operate with some restrictions.
- Wearing face masks is mandatory in public spaces, both indoors and outdoors.
- Non-urgent medical procedures and elective surgeries are allowed.
- Strict visitor restrictions are to be maintained in settings with vulnerable people.
- Primary care providers and regulated health professionals may operate but are urged to use virtual appointments whenever possible.
- Post-secondary educational institutions may operate.
- Outdoor recreational activities are allowed, including campgrounds, ATV or snowmobile trails.
- All other businesses, including food, beverages and retail, may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan.
People who do not follow the New Brunswick Public Health Mandates can be fined up to $10,000.
More about the orange level restrictions can be found here.
SRC services and scheduled events
To ensure the safety of people, UNB SRC “Safe Ride” service has been suspended and all in-person events on and off have been cancelled.
The “Student Day” event that was going to happen this Saturday at Saint John’s Market, has also been cancelled.
More to come, pending official updates from UNB.
