On April 24, 2020, the New Brunswick government presented its four-phase plan aimed at gradually reopening the province and easing restrictions put in place to contain COVID-19. The plan was announced as chief medical officer of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, reported no new cases of COVID-19 for the sixth consecutive day keeping the province’s total of confirmed cases at 118.
The phased plan will allow health experts to monitor and evaluate the impact of the lifting of restrictions. At any time, restrictions that have been lifted may quickly be reinstated to protect public health. Restrictions may be put in place based on provincial, regional or local circumstances such as unlinked community outbreaks or cases that cannot be traced.
Note that the province has indicated that large gatherings such as festivals and concerts will not be allowed until after December 31, 2020; though this is a subject that will be reviewed depending on circumstances.
During all four stages, New Brunswickers must continue to follow public health measures.
Phase one
This phase is aimed at flattening the curve and containing the virus as quickly as possible. Phase one is distinguished by the colour red.
The first phase of the reopening plan is effective immediately and consists of allowing certain low-risk outdoor contact between people, including limited play on golf courses, driving ranges, parks and beaches as well as fishing and hunting (the delay on springs seasons has been lifted). Physical distancing, however, is required for all outdoor activities.
Two family units will also be allowed to interact as part of a so-called “two-family bubble.” Two families will need to agree to only come into contact with each other. The selection made is not interchangeable.
Co-workers or neighbours can carpool with a limit of two people per vehicle with the passenger riding in the back seat.
Post-secondary education: Students requiring access to campus to fulfill their course requirements will be able to do so.
The province will allow outdoor church services, as long as people remain in their vehicles spaced two metres apart. This is an alternative to online worship.
The 30-day limit on prescription drugs will be eliminated for drugs where shortages do not exist. In some cases, the limit had resulted in people paying additional dispensing fees and co-payments. However, the government will create a working group which will identify those drugs which could experience a shortage and put in place a 30-day supply limitation if necessary in order to protect the supply.
A guidance document on the public health measures during the recovery phases is being developed and will be available soon.
Phase two
Phase two is distinguished by the colour orange and is to balance the reopening of social and economic settings while preventing a resurgence of transmission.
The second phase of the plan could be implemented within two-to-four weeks if the first phase goes well. Phase two would see a resumption of elective surgeries, and allow the reopening of daycares, offices, restaurants, ATV trails and seasonal campgrounds.
Phase three
The distinguishing colour is yellow and the goal of this phase is to further increase the reopening of social and economic settings after the ability to control transmission has been demonstrated.
Within three-to-four weeks of no signs of a resurgence of the virus, openings could be extended to include such things as church services, dentistry services and fitness centres.
Phase four
The distinguishing colour is green and this phase will likely come after a vaccine is available or more is learned about how to protect people from the virus. This final phase is to include large gatherings and sporting events, and would likely only come after a vaccine is available, or more is learned about how to protect people from the virus.
On May 8, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced that New Brunswick is moving into the second phase of its COVID-19 recovery plan as of May 8, 2020, which includes permitting the operation of the following business/activities:
- elective surgeries and other non-emergency health services, including dental, physiotherapy, optometry and massage therapy;
- outdoor public gatherings of 10 or fewer people;
- indoor public gatherings of 10 or fewer people for in-person religious services, weddings and funerals;
- all in-person programs at post-secondary institutions, subject to COVID-19 directives from Public Health, although virtual education options should be continued wherever possible;
- cultural venues such as museums, galleries and libraries;
- offices not deemed essential during the initial phase;
- retail establishments, including malls;
- restaurants;
- campgrounds and outdoor recreational activities, such as zoos and outfitters;
- non-regulated child care providers;
- day camps, if they are able to adhere to Public Health measures set out in the COVID-19 Recovery Phase: Guidance to Early Learning and Childcare Facilities and Day Camps; and
- ATV trails across the province.
In addition, early learning and child care centres regulated by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will be permitted to reopen as of May 19, 2020.
The re-opening of businesses and activities are subject to maintaining proper distancing measures, and adherence to the general guidelines from Public Health, as well as the Guidelines for New Brunswick Businesses issued by WorkSafe NB on May 8, 2020.
Prior to re-opening, businesses must prepare an operational plan that must be provided to officials on request. Further details on preparing an operational plan may be accessed here.
The revised emergency order instituting this new phase of the recovery plan may be viewed here.
On May 12, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced its plans to reopen various provincial parks and other major tourism attractions in accordance with Phase 2 of New Brunswick’s Recovery Plan. Further information regarding the reopening of sites and services is available here.
On May 14, 2020, the New Brunswick government released an online guide for parents regarding the May 19, 2020, re-opening of regulated early learning and child care facilities.
On May 20, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced that teachers may begin to return to schools as early as June 1, 2020 to perform work to end the school year until June 23. School will remain closed to students for the remainder of the academic year.
On May 22, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced the following easing of restrictions effective May 22, 2020:
- the two-household bubble can be extended to close friends and family. However, the government recommends that indoor gatherings be limited to 10 or fewer people;
- non-regulated health professionals and businesses may open, including acupuncturists and naturopaths; and
- personal services and businesses may open, including barbers, hairstylists, spas, estheticians, manicurists, pedicurists and tattoo artists.
The government also announced that as of May 29, 2020, the following is permitted (with restrictions):
- outdoor public gatherings of 50 people or fewer;
- religious services, including wedding and funerals, of 50 people or fewer, whether indoors or outdoors;
- increased elective surgeries and other non-emergency healthcare services;
- low-contact team sports, subject to specific restrictions and limits;
- the reopening of:
- swimming pools, saunas and waterparks;
- gyms, yoga and dance studios;
- rinks and indoor recreational facilities; and
- pool halls and bowling alleys; and
- temporary foreign workers may enter New Brunswick.
On May 25, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced that personal services businesses (e.g. barbers, hair stylists and estheticians) may resume in-person services if they undertake appropriate precautions and adhere to public health measures.
WorkSafeNB released interprovincial travel guidelines for employees, which recommends that employers include a travel plan in their COVID-19 operating plan for employees travelling out of the province. Additional details regarding the travel guidelines may be accessed on the WorkSafeNB website.
On May 27, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced the Campbellton region will immediately transition back to Phase 2 of the provincial COVID-19 recovery program. As a result, in the region:
- the two-household bubble can continue, if both households mutually agree. Individuals are not permitted to have close contact with anyone else outside their household or two-household bubble;
- non-regulated health professionals and businesses (e.g. acupuncturists and naturopaths) are prohibited from operating; and
- personal services businesses (e.g.barbers, hair stylists, spas, estheticians, manicurists, pedicurists, and tattoo artists) are prohibited from operating.
On May 28, 2020, the New Brunswick clarified that zones currently listed as “yellow” will remain at this level until determined otherwise. This means that activities previously scheduled to be permitted on May 29 will be delayed by at least one week to June 5. This will allow for the time required to determine the extent of the current outbreak in Zone 5 (Campbellton region). The activities being delayed are:
- Outdoor public gatherings of 50 people or fewer;
- Indoor religious services, including weddings and funerals, of 50 people or fewer; and
- Low-contact team sports.
Openings being delayed include:
- swimming pools, saunas and waterparks;
- gyms, yoga and dance studios;
- rinks and indoor recreational facilities; and
- pool halls and bowling alleys.
On June 1, 2020, the government announced the following activities will be permitted as of June 5, 2020:
- outdoor public gatherings of 50 or fewer people;
- indoor religious services (including weddings and funerals) of 50 people or fewer; and
- low-contact team sports
On June 4, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced that, except in the Campbellton region, effective June 5, 2020:
- indoor gatherings in private homes of 10 or fewer people are allowed;
- outdoor public gatherings of 50 or fewer people are allowed;
- religious services, including wedding and funerals, of 50 or fewer people are permitted;
- the number of elective surgeries and other non-emergency health-care services will increase;
- residents of long-term care facilities may have outdoor visits with up to 2 visitors; and,
- low-contact team sports will be permitted.
The following can reopen:
- swimming pools, saunas and waterparks;
- gyms, yoga and dance studios;
- rinks and indoor recreational facilities; and
- pool halls and bowling alleys.
Effective June 19, 2020, the following can reopen:
- overnight camps may open;
- residents of long-term care facilities may have indoor visits with 1 visitor (or 2 if the visitor requires support);
- Canadian residents owning property in New Brunswick may enter the province provided they self-isolate for 14 days; and
- Canadian residents with immediate family in New Brunswick (i.e. parent, child, sibling, grandchild, grandparent, significant other) may enter the province provided they self-isolate for 14 days.
Zone 5 (Campbellton region) remains at the Orange level of the province’s COVID-19 recovery plan. The following rules apply to Zone 5:
- A two-household bubble is permitted. A person’s household can join up with one other household, if both households mutually agree.
- A person must not have close contact with anyone else. A person cannot join up with more than one household or bubble.
- Non-regulated health professionals and businesses such as acupuncturists and naturopaths cannot operate at this time.
- Personal services businesses such as barbers, hair stylists, spas, estheticians, manicurists, pedicurists, and tattoo artists cannot operate at this time.
Further details and guidance are provided in the government’s recovery plan.
On June 5, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced that wen outside of the home, and in any location in which physical distancing of 2 metres is not possible, people must wear a face covering that covers their mouth and nose. Effective June 9, everyone entering a building open to the general public must wear a face covering. Children under the age of two, children of any age while attending licensed early education and childcare facilities, and those unable to wear face coverings due to medical issues are exempt from these requirements.
On June 6, 2020, the face covering requirements outlined above were clarified: anyone who is in a public area, where physical distancing of two metres cannot be maintained, must wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth unless they are a child under the age of two or if they cannot wear one for medical reasons. People are strongly encouraged to have a mask with them at all times when in a public area so they can put it on if physical distancing cannot be maintained.
All areas of New Brunswick except Zone 5 are currently in the Yellow level of the COVID-19 recovery plan.
On June 9, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced that provincial courts have fully resumed operations, with certain attendance limitations.
On June 12, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced its plan for the 2020-21 academic year in the public school system. Further details may be viewed here.
On June 16, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced that day and overnight camp operators must prepare an operational plan that meets Public Health guidance.
On June 19, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced that all regions except the Campbellton Region (Zone 5) will move into the next phase of the Yellow level of New Brunswick’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan. The following easing of restrictions and permitted activities (with restrictions) are now in effect:
- overnight camps may open;
- residents of long-term care facilities may have indoor visits with one visitor (or two if the visitor requires support);
- residents of New Brunswick may return from work in another province or territory and should self-monitor;
- Canadian residents owning property in New Brunswick may enter the province provided they self-isolate for 14 days (or the duration of their stay if it is shorter);
- Canadian residents with immediate family in New Brunswick (i.e. parent, child, sibling, grandchild, grandparent, or significant other) may enter the province provided they self-isolate for 14 days;
- organized sports are now permitted;
- the cap on the number of people gathering in controlled venues has been lifted and occupancy will now be based on the ability to maintain physical distancing between participants that are not close friends and family; and
- venues with indoor events with controlled entry or controlled seating must maintain records of users’ contact information.
The Campbellton Region remains at the Orange level of New Brunswick’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
The government anticipates the following restrictions will be lifted effective June 26, 2020:
- all remaining businesses may re-open subject to restrictions and operational plans respecting Public Health guidelines; and
- Zone 5 will move into the Yellow level.
On June 24, 2020, the Atlantic provinces announced they will form a form travel bubble. Interprovincial travel without the requirement to self-isolate will be permitted in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, for residents of Atlantic Canada as of July 3. Visitors from other Canadian provinces and territories must adhere to the local entry requirements in place in each of the four jurisdictions. Other Canadian visitors to the Maritime provinces that have self-isolated for 14 days may then travel within the Maritime region. The premiers noted that the decision to ease travel restrictions in the region was guided by the chief medical officers of health in each province and will continue to be closely monitored. All public health directives present in each province must be adhered to, including not traveling if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 and practising physical distancing and good hand hygiene. Each province will choose their own processes to track and monitor travelers.
The government also announced that the state of emergency has been extended to June 25 and that on June 26 Zone 5 (Campbellton region) will move fully into the Yellow level with the rest of the province. In all zones of the province, all remaining businesses can open with appropriate distancing and sanitizing, and operational plans respecting WorkSafeNB and Public Health guidelines.
Information on public health recovery phases, measures and guidelines is available online.
On June 26, 2020, the New Brunswick government’s emergency order was revised to allow for the following:
- the Campbellton region (Zone 5) moves fully into the Yellow level with the rest of the province; and
- all remaining businesses can open in New Brunswick with appropriate distancing and sanitizing, and operational plans respecting WorkSafeNB and Public Health guidelines.
On July 2, 2020, the New Brunswick government confirmed that the Atlantic province travel bubble including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador will go into effect on July 3, 2020. Atlantic Canadians will be able to travel into the other Atlantic provinces without being required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival, provided they:
- have not travelled outside of the Atlantic provinces for any reason, including work or personal travel, in the past 14 days (however, New Brunswickers returning from work in another Canadian province or territory are not required to self-isolate when they return to New Brunswick);
- have not been advised to self-isolate;
- are not awaiting results of a COVID-19 test;
- are not a child experiencing the symptom of purple markings on the fingers or toes;
- are not experiencing at least two of the following symptoms:
- fever above 38°C or signs of fever (such as chills);
- a new cough or worsening chronic cough;
- sore throat;
- runny nose;
- headache;
- a new onset of fatigue;
- a new onset of muscle pain;
- diarrhea; and
- loss of sense of taste or loss of sense of smell.
The New Brunswick government also announced that all licences, registrations, certificates and permits issued by the government that were valid as of March 16, 2020 will remain valid until July 31, 2020 unless suspended by a court or by another authority under provincial legislation.
On July 5, 2020, the New Brunswick government reminded individuals visiting New Brunswick to print, fill out, and present a roadside questionnaire when arriving at the border, along with current and valid identification.
On July 7, 2020, WorkSafeNB published requirements for employers of out-of-province workers. Employers or general contractors must complete and submit an Isolation for Out-of-Province form outlining certain elements of their COVID-19 operational plan. Employers based outside of the province must include a full COVID-19 operational plan for carrying out work that is not at the request of a specific employer in the province. Employers also have the option of providing an enterprise- or corporate-level isolation plan.
The form and COVID-19 operational plan (if applicable) must be sent in at least 15 business days before workers arrive in the province and must be approved before workers enter the province or they will be ordered to self-isolate for 14 days by the Department of Public Safety.
On July 9, 2020, the New Brunswick government indicated that individuals looking to travel to New Brunswick now have access to pre-travel registration services. Further details may be found here and on the online registration page.
On July 15, 2020, the New Brunswick government announced the Explore NB Travel Incentive program, which will provide permanent residents of New Brunswick a 20 percent rebate on eligible expenses (on individual claims up to $1,000) made while vacationing in the province between July 15 and September 20, 2020. Applications must be received by October 30, 2020 and will be reviewed on a first come first served basis until the $3 million fund is exhausted. Further details are available on the Explore NB Travel Incentive program website.
On July 16, 2020, WorkSafeNB issued a new version of its COVID-19 guide for workplaces.
