Circuit breaker restrictions causes confusion for some New Brunswickers
Starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8 , people in high risk zones in New Brunswick are being told to limit their contacts to their single household for the next two weeks.
The areas impacted include the Moncton region (Zone 1), as far north as Sainte-Anne-De-Kent, Zone 3 in the upper Saint John River Valley and Florenceville-Bristol, and all of the Edmundston region (Zone 4).
The new restrictions have come as a shock to some New Brunswick residents who had already made plans to see family and friends over the next few weeks.
Richard Bosse lives in Ottawa, Ont., but his girlfriend, Danielle, currently resides in Edmundston - one of the province's hot zones.
"We're just totally confused and totally disappointed and kind of unclear on what’s going on with the travel part,” said Bosse.
Bosse said his girlfriend had planned to travel to Fredericton to fly out of the province for a visit next week. But now with new travel restrictions in place, they’re not sure if that’s possible anymore.
"Is she allowed to take her flight out of Fredericton to Ottawa? Because we’ve spent a substantial amount of money for her to be here for the week," said Bosse.
CTV News contacted New Brunswick public health for clarification on Bosse’s situation but didn’t receive a response.
On Tuesday, New Brunswick’s Premier Blaine Higgs said travel to and from the circuit breaker areas is not allowed unless required for work, health services, child custody, child-care, or post-secondary education.
As part of the circuit breaker, people are prohibited from indoor and outdoor gatherings with people that are outside their household bubble, unless it is in a public place where proof of vaccination is required.
Edmundston is one region that has been hit hard by the pandemic, after several lockdowns earlier this year. Edmundston’s Mayor Eric Marquis said the news is disappointing, however, he hopes the circuit breaker will reduce cases in their area.
"Things are difficult right now and we were certainly not hoping for this outcome. This was a bit surprising, having the whole Zone 4 going under a circuit breaker," said Marquis.
Due to growing cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang, had a message for Maritimers who are planning to travel to and from New Brunswick this coming weekend.
"My strong request to Nova Scotians is respect those, help New Brunswick out, don't travel to those areas right now unless it’s essential,” said Strang.
While Nova Scotia isn't adding new restrictions for New Brunswick, Strang told reporters on Wednesday that Hockey Nova Scotia will not be travelling to a hockey tournament planned to take place in Moncton, N.B. over the weekend.
According to Strang, Newfoundland will also not be sending their team to Moncton for the tournament, due to concern over rising COVID-19 cases.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.