N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 1 new death, businesses can keep vaccine requirement, premier says

Businesses will no longer need to ask patrons for proof of vaccination on Monday, but that doesn't stop them from continuing to do so, says New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs.

"Every business has a right to manage their business as they see fit, and that includes, you know, the practice of being vaccinated," said Higgs, speaking on CBC's Information Morning Fredericton on Friday.

His comments come after announcing on Thursday that all COVID-19 restrictions in the province will come to an end by March 14, beginning on Monday with the end of requiring businesses such as restaurants and gyms to ask patrons to show proof of vaccination.

On March 14, all other restrictions, including mask mandates, gathering limits and isolation requirements will be ended, with the end of the province's mandatory order.

Higgs announces end to New Brunswick's COVID-19 measures

3 years ago

Duration 0:56

Premier Blaine Higgs says all COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted by March 14.

Speaking Friday, Higgs stressed the importance vaccines have played in protecting people from severe infection, and said the province hasreached herd immunity with the rate at which the population is now vaccinated.

Asked why the province was dropping the proof of vaccination mandate ahead of the other restrictions, Higgs said the same is already being done in other jurisdictions, and the movefalls in line with guidance from Public Health.

"Again, I go back to the recommendations of the professionals that we are now in a position to move forward as we see every other province doing so," Higgs said.

"And for us to say, 'Well, something's different here in New Brunswick in that regard we don't believe we can do that' How long do you think that would last in New Brunswick?"

In an email about what will change as of Monday, Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane,said indoor retail stores are still required to do their best to ensure two-metre distances between patrons until March 14. Requesting proof of vaccination from patrons is already not required.

For establishments such as restaurants, bars and theatres, reduced capacity limits and a need to ensure physical distancing are already not required, and as of Monday, proof of vaccination won't be required from patrons either.

Businesses excited and nervous

Though most business owners are excited about all restrictions being lifted in the coming weeks, some feelnervous and apprehensive about the changes, said Krista Ross, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.

Ross said most of the calls she hasreceived since Thursday are from business ownerswho will be allowed to lift their proof of vaccination requirement on Monday.

"For most of those businesses, it will mean more potential customers, in particular for the sectors that have been really heavily affected," Ross said.

"Tourism and hospitality have been greatly affected, perhaps more than any other sectors throughout the pandemic, so we're hoping that it's going to be a big year for them and these changes will be impactful for their businesses."

While most are planning to drop the proof of vaccination requirement, she said she has heard from some business owners who are interestedin keeping it in place.

"And of course, we expect the community will respect those decisions and recognize their freedom to do so," she said.

Don Swain is president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 4, which operates a dance hall and bar out of its building on Smythe Street in Fredericton.

He said the legion plansto drop the proof of vaccination requirementon Monday, and to drop the mask requirement when that's allowed in March.

He said while most of the patrons at the legion are older, making themmore at-risk to COVID-19, he said that also means a much higher proportion of them are vaccinated. He also saysthey've been very careful about physical distancing and mask wearing over the course of the pandemic.

Swain said hethinks it's appropriate to give people the freedom to not wear a mask if they choose to after March 14, or to continue doing so if they think it's necessary.

"Ithink there will be people relieved who don't have to wear it anymore but Ithink there will be people who will still wear it," he said, adding he still plans on wearing one himself.

"It's up to the individual and we go by what the province says and if they say no masks, it's up to the individual."

Medical society supports loosened restrictions timeline

The New Brunswick Medical Society says it supports the province's plan for loosening restrictions in the coming days and weeks.

In a statement, president Mark MacMillan said the society is cautiously optimistic the downward trend in hospitalizations will continue in the coming weeks and that subsequent surges will be manageable.

He said he looks forward to hospitals resuming normal operations and rescheduling previously cancelled procedures and surgeries.

"We have learned a great deal over the course of the pandemic, and incorporated new measures and tools, such as virtual care, making us better equipped to move forward at this time," he said.

"However, even with the easing of restrictions, we need to remain vigilant to protect the health system."

MacMillan said the best way to avoid getting seriously ill from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated, and encouraged everyone who's eligible to do so, along with getting their booster.

1 new death, decreased hospitalizations

Another person has died from COVID-19 in New Brunswick, according to an update to the province's online dashboard Friday.

The person who died was in their 80s and living in the Zone 4, Edmundston region, and their death was the 301st inNew Brunswick related to the pandemic.

Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 have gone down by five to 72 as of Friday, with 30 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 42 in hospital for COVID-19.

There are three people in intensive care, which is two fewer than Thursday, and the number of people on ventilator is unchanged at two.

A breakdown of the cases

Public Health is reporting 382 new cases of COVID-19 detected through lab-based PCR tests, and 696 new cases throughself-reported rapid test results.

The number of active cases detected solely through PCR tests stands at 3,380, which is a decrease from Thursday's active case count of3,408.

A breakdown of the cases by health zone:

Moncton region, Zone 1

111new cases out of 1,178active

Saint John region, Zone 2

81 new cases out of 668active

Fredericton region, Zone 3

68 new cases out of 709active

Edmundston region, Zone 4

35 new cases out of 257active

Campbellton region, Zone 5

19 new cases out of 124active

Bathurst region, Zone 6

47 new cases out of 283 active

Miramichi region, Zone 7

21 new cases out of 161active

Impact on health-care, school systems

The province is reporting 420health-care workers areisolating because of COVID-19, an increase of 12 from Wednesday.

They include 148staff withVitalitHealth Network, 214with Horizon Health Network, and 58with Extra-Mural and Ambulance NB.

The Department of Education reported 428new cases of COVID-19 in 98schools across the province.

They include 114cases in Zone 1, 80in Zone 2, 128in Zone 3, 25in Zone 4, 10in Zone 5, 48in Zone 6, and 23in Zone 7.

There have been 10,763cases across291schools since Sept. 7, 2021.