(Photo: Government of New Brunswick)
The four Atlantic premiers have agreed to reopen the Atlantic Bubble by April 19.
That means Atlantic Canadians will be able to travel within the region without having to self-isolate for 14 days.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs chaired a conference call of the Council of Atlantic Premiers on Thursday, with Premier Iain Rankin of Nova Scotia, Premier Dennis King of Prince Edward Island and Premier Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador participating.
“While COVID-19 remains a serious concern, Premiers are encouraged by Atlantic Canadians’ adherence to public health measures, the containment of regional outbreaks, and the progress in rolling out vaccines,” said the premiers in a joint news release.
The decision, according to the premiers, is conditional on case numbers remaining low, containment of outbreaks, and advice from the province’s chief medical officers of health.
“Newfoundland and Labrador’s participation is conditional on continued progress in easing its provincial alert-level restrictions,” said the release.
Visitors coming from other parts of Canada must follow entry requirements in place for the province they are going to. Those who complete their 14-day isolation in one of the Maritime provinces can travel to another Maritime province without having to complete another isolation period.
The premiers said the decision will be monitored and may change at any time based on public health advice.
With files from Tara Clow and Brad Perry.
