Epidemiologist concerned with 'suddenness' of N.B.'s move to lift all restrictions
An Ottawa-based epidemiologist says New Brunswick should slow down its plan to go restriction-free, and choose one or the other to remove: masks or border restrictions.
It's too risky to remove both at the same time, says Raywat Deonandan.
"I'm particularly concerned about the opening of borders and introducing new infections from tourists," he said. "I understand, that has to happen, tourism is an important aspect of your economy, but you can control that better if you maintain the mitigation tools. In particularly, high quality mask-wearing, at least for a while."
On Saturday, the province's mandatory order will not be renewed.
According to public health, the end of the order will:
- Lift all mandatory travel and public health restrictions
- Lift all provincial border restrictions, which will mean the end of border checks, and registration will no longer be required to enter New Brunswick from anywhere in Canada
- Lift all limits on gatherings and the number of people within facilities, which means no longer will there be capacity limits in theatres, restaurants and stores
- Face masks will no longer be required in public places
"My concern is in the suddenness of the lifting of restrictions," Deonandan said. "This should be a staged, gradual thing, with the indicators assessed with every lifting of measures. In particular because vaccination is not yet tenable for kids, those under 12. They remain the single largest block of susceptible individuals."
In a statement, the city of Fredericton said as of Saturday "masking, distancing, contact tracing and hand sanitizing will no longer be required when you visit a municipal recreational facility or take part in any of our programs or events."
City buses, the Boyce Farmers Market and recreation centres like swimming pools will no longer have capacity limits.
Dr. Jennifer Russell says it's a risk, but the vaccine is key to making it work.
"We are going to green. We are opening up and removing restrictions that have been in place for around 16 months. This is a huge transition period," she said. "We did not take this decision lightly. We know that there are risks. But we know that vaccination will protect people from those risks. But it only works if you get vaccinated."
New Brunswick has 65.4 per cent of its eligible population fully vaccinated.
Deonandan acknowledges he doesn't have a crystal ball, but says we can learn from the rest of the world about what has worked – and what hasn't.
"You look at the U.K., you look at the Netherlands, both of which lifted everything pretty much all at once before reaching an extraordinarily high vaccination uptake level and both of them suffered some extraordinary spikes in cases," he said.
Daniel Landry, an infectious disease pharmacist at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre, said on Tuesday that children under 12 likely won't be eligible for a vaccine until the new year – at the earliest.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.