Long-term care restrictions to remain for a few weeks after N.B. enters 'Green phase'
Visitor restrictions at New Brunswick long-term care facilities will remain in place for an additional two weeks once the province enters a 'Green phase' of COVID-19 recovery.
"It is really just for our long-term care (facilities) to give them time to deescalate their situations," said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard on Wednesday. "Social Development and Public Health are currently developing guidelines and recommendations for long-term care facilities for when our province reaches 'green.'"
The New Brunswick government says it will ease COVID-19 restrictions under the 'Green phase' when 75 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.
The Department of Health is tracking the number of long-term care employees who've been vaccinated, and has made note of 16 facilities out of 547 where employee vaccination rates sit below 50 per cent (including nine per cent of long-term care facilities in the Edmundston health zone, and seven per cent in the Miramichi health zone).
Cecile Cassista, executive director of the New Brunswick Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights, says vaccinations should be a requirement for all long-term care staff and anybody entering those facilities.
"I really think all of this comes down to a mandatory provision," says Cassista.
Shephard says vaccination numbers for long-term care employees have been trending higher as of late, with 80.2 per cent of all staff receiving at least one vaccine dose or signaling they plan to get one.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.