Sackville is moving back to the orange phase of public health restrictions as of midnight tonight, November 19, 2020.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Jennifer Russell and Premier Blaine Higgs made the announcement at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
The decision was made, “due to the doubling of cases in less than six days, outbreaks in settings of high vulnerability where there is a risk of community transmission, and reports of situations where some individuals were not complying with public health measures,” says a government press release.
The orange phase order for Zone 1 comes with some changes.
Residents are being asked to maintain a one household bubble this time around, which may include caregivers and immediate family members requiring support.
Hairdressers, spas, and unregulated health professionals will be allowed to remain open this time, as long enhanced protocols are in place.
Gyms and fitness facilities are allowed to remain open, but with some enhanced protocols, and sports teams may practice, but only with their own team members.
As with previous orange phase rules, schools remain open, under their operational plans, and day camps are allowed.
As of midnight, wearing face masks will be mandatory in outdoor as well as indoor public spaces. A mask is not required while walking, jogging or cycling with people in the same bubble, as long as contact with others is unlikely.
NEW TESTING PROTOCOLS FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS
New testing and isolation protocols will apply to essential workers who travel outside the Atlantic Bubble. They will now be required to self-isolate until after negative COVID test at about 5-7 days after their return to the province.
Previously, workers who tested negative on the first day of their return did not need to self-isolate. But that left a gap for those who tested positive on their second test, after 5-7 days. Those people would have had numerous contacts during the interval, all who would then be at risk of contracting the disease, and required to self-isolate.
NEW CASES AND OUTBREAK AT DIEPPE FACILITY
Russell announced four new cases on Thursday, including three cases in the southeast region and one in Saint John. The three cases in the southeast region are in people under 30.
There are now 43 active cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick. 24 of those are in the southeast region.
Russell also announced an outbreak in an adult residential facility in Dieppe. One case is confirmed in Residence Oasis on Amirault Street in Dieppe. The home has a capacity of 60 residents. All staff and residents are being tested today, said Russell.