News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) - Public Health reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 today.

The four cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are four people between 70 and 79, all linked to the outbreak at the Notre-Dame Manor, a special-care home. All of these cases are self-isolating.

The 10 cases in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) are as follows:

• three people between 30 and 39;
• two people between 50 and 59; and
• five people between 60 and 69.

All of these cases are linked to the regional outbreak and are self-isolating.

The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 272 and 199 have recovered. There have been two deaths, and the number of active cases is 71. Five patients are hospitalized with one in an intensive care unit. As of today, 84,847 tests have been conducted.

Exposure notification

Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the virus at the Centre Père-Patrice-Leblanc on Murphy Avenue in Moncton. People who visited this location between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days. Should any COVID-19 symptoms develop, they are directed to self-isolate and take the self-assessment online or call 811 to get tested.

Zones 1 and 5 are Orange

Zone 1 (Moncton region) and Zone 5 (Campbellton region) transitioned back to Orange level under the province’s COVID-19 recovery plan.

The following rules apply to Zones 1 and 5 only:

• Two household bubble plus formal or informal caregivers and members of immediate family (parents, children, siblings and grand-parents) is permitted.
• Avoid family gatherings of more than 10 people.

• Outdoor gatherings with physical distancing of 10 people or fewer are permitted. Physical distancing required in all other settings.

• Indoor religious services, weddings and funerals of 10 people or fewer are permitted.

• Face masks remain mandatory in all public spaces, both indoors and outdoors.

• Non-urgent medical procedures and elective surgeries allowed.

• Strict visitor restrictions are maintained in vulnerable settings.

• Primary care providers and regulated health professionals may operate utilizing virtual appointments whenever possible.

• Unregulated health professionals are allowed, however, close contact personal services such as barbers, hair stylists or spas are closed.

• Daycares and K to 12 schools are open under strict guidance, with virtual learning to be used for at-risk populations. Day camps are allowed.

• Post-secondary education can continue to operate.

• Outdoor recreational activities are allowed, including campgrounds, ATV or snowmobile trails. However, no organized sports are allowed.

• Gym and fitness facilities are closed, including other similar sport or recreational businesses or facilities.

• Casinos, amusement centres, bingo halls, arcades, cinemas and large live performance venues are closed.

• All other businesses, including food, beverage and retail, can operate under a COVID-19 operational plan. Record keeping for seated venues is a requirement.

All other zones in New Brunswick remain at the Yellow level. During this time, Public Health measures and guidelines must still be followed.

To find out the boundaries of each health zone, see the map available at:

• COVID-19 Dashboard (mobile and most browsers)

• COVID-19 Dashboard (for Internet Explorer users)

Masks are mandatory in New Brunswick.

For zones in the Yellow level (zones 2, 3, 4, 6, 7), masks are mandatory in all indoor public places. For zones in the Orange level (zones 1 and 5), masks are mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public places.

Public spaces include:

• areas where the public gathers and where employees interact with members of the public (retail businesses, malls, service centres, places of worship, restaurants and bars except while eating, etc.) and organized indoor gatherings in public spaces (e.g. weddings, funerals, etc.);
• common areas like lobbies, elevators and hallways, and public shared spaces including those in private sector and government workspaces; and
• public transportation
• outdoor public spaces - anywhere other than the yard of a private single dwelling residence where the public gather, such as parks, playgrounds, markets, dog parks, etc.

Thanksgiving travel

If you have already left to travel to an Orange zone, you and everyone you are travelling with need to observe the requirements of the Orange level there as well as when you return for 14 days.

Follow all Public Health preventative measures, including:

• wear a mask at all times when in public, indoors and outdoors for the next 14 days;
• be vigilant in self-monitoring for symptoms and get tested as soon as possible should they develop;
• limit your contacts to your two-household bubble;
• wash your hands or use sanitizer frequently;
• maintain a two metre distance from others; and
• avoid gatherings outside of Thanksgiving dinner.

Hunting and fishing

This time of year, many New Brunswickers are participating in hunting and fishing activities. Public Health advises to avoid travelling from an Orange zone to a Yellow zone, unless for essential or for emergency reasons. For those living in an Orange zone, always maintain a two-household bubble and keep a two metre distance between yourself and others.

If you’re not feeling well, do not participate in these activities and if you begin to feel unwell, self-isolate immediately. Prepare all required provisions and supplies before a hunting or fishing trip. Hunt and fish as locally as possible. If you’re going to be in closer contact with fellow anglers and hunters, you are required to wear a mask. Confirm the operational status or restrictions at any land, parking area, access point, or boat launch you’re intending to use before you go.

Schools in the Orange

In the Orange level, enhanced mask use will be required for students from kindergarten to Grade 12. These policies apply to all students, teachers and staff, unless they are not required to wear a mask for medical reasons.

Students in kindergarten through Grade 8 will now be required to wear a mask throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors, except when they are working quietly at their desk, engaged in physical activity, eating or drinking. Students in grades 9 to 12 will be required to wear masks throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors, unless they are eating or engaged in physical activity. Students of all ages and grades are required to wear masks at all times on the school bus, even if they are sitting alone or with a family member.

The Return to School plan establishes that all intramural, interscholastic and extra-curricular activities are suspended while zones are in the Orange level.

Early learning and childcare facilities in the Orange

Children attending after-school care programs are required to wear masks at all times, unless they are engaged in physical activity, or when they are eating or drinking. Children aged two and up will wear masks when they are in common areas and if they are using transportation that is provided by the facility.

Field trips will not be permitted while the region is in the Orange level and active screening procedures will be implemented. More information on active screening procedures is available in the COVID-19 Recovery Phase: Guidance to Early Learning and Childcare Facilities and Summer Camps.

These policies are only in place for schools and early childhood learning facilities while the zone is in the Orange level. Facilities will return to their normal operational plans once the zone returns to Yellow.

L.E. Reinsborough School

A positive case has been confirmed at L.E. Reinsborough School in Dalhousie and the school community has been informed. Public Health continues to carry out contact tracing, which will inform any decisions about how learning may be impacted in the coming days. Families should watch for further communication from the school over the weekend.

Académie Notre-Dame

A positive case has been confirmed at Académie Notre-Dame in Dalhousie and the school community has been informed. Public Health continues to carry out contact tracing, which will inform any decisions about how learning may be impacted in the coming days. Families should watch for further communication from the school over the weekend.

Sugarloaf High School

A positive case has been confirmed at Sugarloaf High School in Campbellton. As a result, the school was closed Friday as contact tracing was carried out. Staff are working on providing students with access to their belongings and anything they may require for online learning. All students from the high school will be learning remotely on Tuesday, Oct. 13 and Wednesday, Oct. 14. This will give teachers time to prepare for the transition to full-time online learning for the students from Quebec, which goes into effect on Tuesday.