Saint John Region Returning To Orange Phase

The Saint John health region (Zone 2) will go back to the stricter orange level of recovery starting midnight Friday night.

New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health announced the change during a news conference late Friday afternoon.

It comes just one day after the Moncton health region (Zone 1) was also moved back to the orange phase.

Dr. Jennifer Russell said the number of COVID-19 cases in the health zone has doubled in the last two days.

“We are seeing transmission in community settings in the zone, including recreational facilities, health-care and long-term care institutions,” said Russell.

Public Health announced nine new cases of the virus on Friday, including seven in the Saint John region and two in the Moncton region (Zone 1).

Russell said when contact tracing was done, many led to contacts that are connected to casual gatherings. She said it’s “vitally important” that people in both Zones 1 and 2 limit their close contacts.

What Does The Orange Phase Mean?

The orange phase means a return to single household bubbles, though it can be extended to caregivers or to an immediate family member requiring support.

Face masks will also be required in all outdoor public spaces in addition to indoor spaces. That includes parks, playgrounds, markets, festival sites, dog parks, and walking trails.

Businesses will remain open but many will have new restrictions meant to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Daycares and K-12 schools will remain open under strict guidance. Post-secondary educational institutions are also allowed to continue operating.

Russell urged people to avoid non-essential travel in and out of both zones.

“These restrictions are needed so we can effectively manage these outbreaks and bring these zones back into the yellow phase of recovery,” she said.

Premier Blaine Higgs said 300 people are self-isolating in the Saint John area currently, but the number is expected to rise.

“If we can’t get the number under control in the Saint John region, we might have to move it to the red level, if necessary,” he said.

You can find a full list of regulations in the orange zone here or at the bottom of the story.

Outbreak At Nursing Home

Russell announced an outbreak at Shannex Tucker Hall, an adult residential facility in Saint John.

Following a confirmed case on Thursday, Public Health started an investigation at the facility, she said.

“Although there are only 90 residents at Tucker Hall, all 422 residents and staff from the entire Parkland Saint John campus are being tested,” said Russell.

Two other nursing homes closed their doors to visitors Friday amid rising COVID-19 case numbers.

Rocmaura Nursing Home said it would be keeping its doors closed effective immediately. A video posted on its Facebook page says outdoor visits are still allowed.

Loch Lomond Villa also announced that all “essential care partner” visitations have been suspended. Families are still able to have virtual visits with a resident via Zoom or FaceTime.

Potential Exposure Notifications

Public Health identified three potential public exposures in Saint John and Moncton on Friday.

• Rocky’s Sports Bar at 7 Market Square in Saint John between 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 14, and between 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 and 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 15.
• Big Tide Brewing Company at 47 Princess Street in Saint John between 12:30 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 16.
• Java Moose at 84 Prince William Street in Saint John between 2 and 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 16.
• Keg Steakhouse and Bar at 576 Main Street in Moncton between 7:45 and 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 17.
• CEPS Louis-J. Robichaud fitness room at 40 Antonine-Maillet Avenue in Moncton at the following dates and times:
  • Nov. 6 – 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 9 – 5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
  • Nov. 10 – 5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
  • Nov. 12 – 5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
  • Nov. 13 – 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Anyone who visited these facilities between the mentioned times should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

‘We Must Limit Our Gatherings’: Higgs

With Christmas fast approaching, Premier Higgs urges New Brunswickers to keep the pandemic in mind.

Higgs says he hears about too many social gatherings where physical distancing and masks are being ignored.

With rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the province, Higgs says the holiday season has to be different this year

“As heartbreaking as it may be, we must limit our gatherings and keep our contact numbers as low as possible. This is also important advice to keep in mind in the lead up to the season as holiday shopping ramps up.”

During the holiday season, Higgs urges business owners to spread out their sales events to avoid having large numbers of customers gather at once.

New Regulations For Recovery Levels

The following guidelines and restrictions are now in place for the Moncton and Saint John regions:

• Single household bubble plus formal or informal caregivers of members of immediate family (parents, children, siblings and grand-parents).
• Outdoor gatherings with physical distancing of 25 people or fewer. Physical distancing required in all other settings.
• Essential travel only is recommended in and out of Orange level zones, however, people can continue to travel within the province for work, school, essential errands and medical appointments.
• Indoor religious observances, funerals, celebrations of life, marriage ceremonies, receptions and social gatherings of more than 25 persons are prohibited.
• Unregulated health professionals, barbers, hair stylists or spas may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan, with enhanced public health measures such as active screening of patrons, closed waiting rooms, and enhanced barriers.
• Wearing face masks is mandatory in public spaces, both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor public spaces include parks, playgrounds, markets, festival sites, dog parks, and walking trails. A mask is not required while walking, jogging or cycling with people in the same bubble, where they are unlikely to come within two metres of people from outside their bubble.
• Non-urgent medical procedures and elective surgeries allowed.
• Strict visitor restrictions maintained in vulnerable settings.
• Primary care providers and regulated health professionals may operate utilizing virtual whenever possible.
• Daycares and K to 12 schools are open under strict guidance, virtual to be used for at-risk populations. Day camps are allowed.
• Post-secondary education can operate.
• Recreational and sport organizations may operate but are limited to practices and/or skills and drills within a single team.
• Gym and fitness facilities may continue operating under a COVID-19 operational plan with additional health measures including two meters of physical distancing, masks, active screening and record keeping, and closed locker rooms and common areas.
• Entertainment venues such as casinos, amusement centres, bingo halls, arcades, cinemas and large live performance facilities may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan. The occupancy limit is set at 50 or fewer, depending upon the size of the venue and the ability to ensure two metres of physical distancing, with continuous mask use and record keeping.
• All other businesses, including food, beverage and retail, may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan. Distancing of two metres is required where food and beverages are served. Record keeping for seated venues is a requirement. Single household bubbles must be maintained. For example, people may not sit with people from another household at a restaurant.

With files from Allan Dearing and Huddle.