. . World news – CA – N. B. Advising not to travel for holidays amid COVID-19, Moncton is returning to its orange phase

New Brunswick health officials are returning one district to the orange phase of COVID-19 recovery as there are four new cases of COVID-19 reported Thursday.

Three of the new cases were in Moncton and one in St. John’s.

In a regional update on Thursday, Chief Medical Officer Dr.. Jennifer Russell and Prime Minister Blaine Higgs said Moncton will return to the orange phase of recovery from COVID-19.

Other areas in the county will still be in the yellow stage, but the regulations for all stages change.

Higgs said that in the orange phase, many companies can stay open as long as they have an approved operating plan.

Places like gyms can remain open with consent and implement safe strategies, such as 2 meters for low-intensity fitness classes like yoga and 3 meters for high-intensity sessions like aerobics classes.

Places of Faith in the Orange Zone may host personal services of up to 50 participants, with a distance of 2 meters and wearing masks at all times. Higgs said: Singing is not allowed.

In areas with a yellow stage, indoor gatherings of 20 people are now allowed, but close contacts should be small – for family and friends only.

Higgs said religious places can remain open as long as a distance of one meter is maintained and face masks are worn. For singing a distance of 2 meters is required and masks. If 2 meters cannot be reached, singing is not permitted.

« Regardless of the level at which the area is located, companies, employers, and the organization should ensure that employees wear a mask in common areas and where they can maintain a distance of two meters, » Higgs said..

The Vitalité Health Network said in a statement released on Thursday that elective surgeries will be permitted but will likely be reduced based on the increase in cases..

Additionally, visits will not be permitted at Dr. . George L.. – Dumont University Hospital Center and Stella Maris de Kent Hospital starting Friday, except for obstetrics, pediatrics and intensive care cases where one visitor is permitted. One by one, two visitors will be allowed palliative care and those who receive medical assistance in the event of death.

Higgs said in Thursday’s update that new procedures are being implemented for shift workers returning to New Brunswick..

Previously, workers were tested on arrival, then two more times in a 14-day period without mandatory isolation. Higgs said that 60 percent of these workers tested negative on the first day of their arrival, but then tested positive five days later.. In those days in between, they were allowed out into the community, being infected with COVID-19.

Now, workers must isolate themselves on their return to New Brunswick, unless the entire family is isolated.

Isolation is mandatory for at least five to seven days when workers are tested for the first time. Once receiving a negative test, the worker is allowed to end the isolation period with his home bubble. A second test will be done 10-12 days after arrival.

Dr.. Russell and Higgs advise New Brunswickers to drastically limit travel outside the Atlantic, even during the holiday season..

“The Atlantic bubble is fragile,” Russell said.. She said all Atlantic leaders advise the same: Don’t travel for unnecessary reasons.

“Unfortunately this is not the year for visiting family members outside the area or inviting them to come here.

“This sounds harsh and I understand it, but the alternative is more cases of COVID-19, like what we see in other provinces.

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Russell said the New Brunswickers were facing a « long and difficult winter, » and encouraged people to get out now, while they could.

She said rolling out vaccines next year will be a long process, but the goal is to keep things under control until then.

Higgs says New Brunswick is still an enviable position, and residents should be diligent for a few more months.

“Let the vaccine have time to come, let’s keep this together. We are the envy of our country. We are the envy of other countries. Let’s not lose it by being irresponsible.

Russell said Thursday that one case of COVID-19 has been detected at Oasis Residence, an adult housing facility in Dieppe. .

The county said that Public Health has launched an investigation at the facility and contacts have been traced. Health officials will test residents and employees of the facility throughout Thursday.

So far, the county has confirmed 392 cases of coronavirus and says 343 cases have been cured.

Six deaths occurred in the governorate, and the number of active cases reached 43 without hospitalization.

New Brunswick, Coronavirus, Moncton, Blaine Higgs, Halifax Regional Municipality