New Brunswick adds border checkpoints to prevent spread of COVID-19

New Brunswick has set up screening checkpoints at provincial borders to control the spread of COVID-19, Premier Blaine Higgs announced Wednesday.

The move comes as another eight cases of the viral infection have been confirmed, bringing the province's total to 26.

"Unnecessary travel is no longer permitted,"Higgs said, citing as an example non-residents entering the province to socialize or shop.

Officers stationed at the Quebec, Nova Scotia andP.E.I. borders are authorized to turn people away, he said.

Anyone allowed into the province will be orderedto self-isolate for 14 days, Higgs told reporters during the daily update in Fredericton.

Officerswill collect the identity of those individuals, as well as their intended destinationand contact information, he said.

The officerswill also follow up to ensure compliance, even if the individualsare only travelling through New Brunswickto anotherprovince,the premier said.

Anyone who doesn't comply will receive a warning, followed by a fine of up to $10,000.

Neighbouring Nova Scotia and P.E.I. previously implemented similar restrictions at their borders.

New Brunswick's provincial border restrictions took effect Wednesday.

Around 5p.m., Public Safety officers were directingtraffic coming into Campbelltonon the J.C. Van Horne Bridge from Quebecto acheckpoint, reported Radio-Canada's Serge Bouchard.

And by 6 p.m.,there was a growing lineup of vehicles waiting for anotherofficer to ask the occupantsa series of questions to screen for COVID-19.

Commercial traffic and essential employees will be exempt, said Higgs.

"It is imperative we ensure our supply chain continues to work while keeping New Brunswickers healthyand safe," he said.

Impact could last 2 years

New Brunswick could be dealing with the effects of COVID-19 for another 18 to 24 monthsbefore a vaccine or other treatments are available, according to chief medical officer Dr. Jennifer Russell.

"This is the mostserious health challenge any of us have ever seen in our lifetimes," she said, urging everyone to stay home and self-isolate as much as possible.

Higgs said the government realizes not everyone entering the province who isordered to self-isolate for 14 days can afford to do so.

It's partnering with the Canadian Red Cross, which canassist people in accessing a wide range of supports and services, he said.

Federal restrictions on non-essential travel between New Brunswick and the U.S. took effect last Friday at midnight, for at least 30 days. U.S. border traffic into the province hasalready dropped 90 per cent, Higgs has said.

In Nova Scotia,checkpoints have sprung up at every major entry pointinto the province in recent days, including highways, airports and ferry terminals.

Provincial staff are telling travellers to self-isolate for 14 days, no matter where they're coming from.Those who fail to obey the isolation order could be fined $1,000 per day.Some travellers are exempt, including truckers, medical staffand other essential personnel.

P.E.I. has screening checkpointsset up at the Confederation Bridge, Charlottetown airport and Souris ferry terminal.

Fines for those found to be in violation of the self-isolation ordersstart at $1,000for the first offence, $2,000 for the second offence and $10,000 for the third and subsequent offences.