N.B. to ease COVID-19 restrictions at midnight; students will return to class Monday
New Brunswick will return to Level 2 of its winter plan to manage COVID-19 two days earlier than expected.
The surprise move was announced Thursday afternoon during the province’s COVID-19 update.
“Your efforts have made a difference,” said New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell. “You have helped us blunt the impact of this latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The move to Level 2 will take effect Friday at 11:59 p.m.
The province’s top doctor said the decision was made to enter Level 2 because of a slowdown in the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations.
While Russell praised New Brunswickers for their hard work during these challenging times, she also warned that now is not the time to let their guard down.
“This does not mean we expect only smooth sailing ahead. We are still in the midst of a storm that will last another two weeks at least,” added Russell.
RESTRICTIONS TO EASE
A move to Level 2 means residents can experience a few more freedoms.
Russell said New Brunswickers must limit contacts to their household members and a steady group of 10 people for indoor and outdoor gatherings.
Masks will continue to be mandatory for indoor public gatherings and outside when physical distancing isn’t possible.
Schools will return to in-person learning on Monday. The province says there will be modified restrictions for sports activities and music.
Public venues, restaurants, along with gyms, spas and salons, will be able to operate at 50 per cent capacity with proof of vaccination, and retail businesses will also be able to operate at 50 per cent capacity.
“We will need continued vigilance and a cautious approach when returning to school, work and everyday activities,” said Russell.
COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS
As of Thursday, 142 New Brunswickers were in hospital with the virus, including eight in intensive care.
During Thursday’s COVID-19 update, Premier Blaine Higgs expressed the importance of being fully vaccinated.
“We realize that we have had a high number of deaths in recent months,” he said. “Ninety-six per cent of those who died since Dec. 1 had an associated risk factor, such as an underlying risk factor, or they were not fully protected by vaccinations.”
The premier added, 86 per cent of those under 70 years of age who died as a result of COVID-19 since Dec. 1 were not fully vaccinated.
“Even with those positive strides forward there’s always room for improvement and vaccine capabilities have not yet been reached. We can indeed vaccinate more. We still are not fulfilling all of the available appointments,” the premier said.
The province says with a move to Level 2, daily COVID-19 updates will no longer be released, but updated info will be available on New Brunswick’s COVID-19 dashboard.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.