News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – In response to the Omicron variant and the continued high number of cases, the province will move into Level 2 of the Winter Plan tonight at 11:59 p.m.

The previously announced Level 2 measures had some changes to help New Brunswickers find balance.

Effective Dec. 27 at 11:59 p.m.:

• The current household plus Steady 20 is replaced with household plus Steady 10.
• Patrons dining at restaurants must show proof of vaccination and tables must be at least two metres apart.
• Restaurants, retail stores, malls, businesses, gyms, salons and spas, and entertainment centres may continue to operate, but at 50 per cent capacity and with two metres of distance between patrons.
• For public gatherings, venues cannot have events with more than 150 people or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is less.
• Faith venues may operate at 50 per cent capacity and with physical distancing. Choirs are not permitted but one soloist may perform if they are at least four metres from the congregation.
• All travellers, including New Brunswickers returning to the province, must register or have a multi-use travel pass. Travellers arriving by air will be provided with a rapid test kit.
• Unvaccinated people entering the province must isolate and be tested on day 10. International travellers must follow federal testing and isolation guidelines and must be tested on day five and day 10.
• Travellers must follow public health measures when in New Brunswick including wearing a mask, physically distancing and staying within a Steady 10.

438 recoveries/ 639 new cases

Public Health reported 438 recoveries and 639 new cases of COVID-19 since the last report on Friday, Dec. 24. This includes 309 new cases on Saturday, Dec 25, 179 on Sunday, Dec. 26, and 151 today.

There are 14 people in intensive care and another 21 are in hospital for a total of 35 people hospitalized. Of those in hospital, 20 are over the age of 60 and nine people are on a ventilator. No one under 19 is currently hospitalized. The seven-day rolling average of hospitalizations is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

The rate of people hospitalized and in ICU, as well as new cases, continues to most greatly impact people who are unvaccinated. Information about the rates of cases and hospitalizations based on vaccination status, the age and origin of new cases, and additional information, is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Of the new cases reported since Dec. 24, 188 are in Zone 1 (Moncton region), 278 are in Zone 2 (Saint John region), 66 are in Zone 3 (Fredericton region), 60 are in Zone 4 (Edmundston region), 10 are in Zone 5 (Campbellton region), 14 are in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) and 23 are in Zone 7 (Miramichi region).

To date, 147 cases have been confirmed to be the Omicron variant.

Public Health has confirmed that four people have died because of COVID-19 since our last report on Fri. Dec. 24. One person 80-89 in Zone 1 (Moncton region), one person 80-89 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region), one person 70-79 in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) and one person 70-79 in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) have died.

Public Health reported today that 82.8 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, 89.9 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine and 18.3 per cent have received a booster dose.

Assessment centre delays

Assessment centres are experiencing an increase in demand for PCR testing. Additional resources and additional hours are being added to the Saint John assessment centre to help clear the backlog of approximately 2,100 requests in Zone 2. All priority groups, which include Public Health referrals, health care workers and those who work or live in vulnerable settings (e.g. long-term care) are being scheduled within 72 hours. The next priorities are any symptomatic individuals as well as individuals with a positive point of care test result, these are being booked for a test within 120 hours.

In Zone 3, there is a backlog of approximately 640 requests. All priority groups, which include Public Health referrals, health care workers and those who work or live in vulnerable settings (e.g. long-term care) are being scheduled within 24-48 hours. The next priorities are any symptomatic individuals as well as individuals with a positive point of care test result, these are being booked for a test within 96 hours.

Should you test positive using a rapid point of care test, you must immediately isolate and book your PCR test. Your household should also rapid test daily while you await your PCR test and test results. Also, please notify your close contacts that you have tested positive on a rapid test and they should self-monitor for symptoms. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should schedule a PCR test via an assessment centre.

Learn more:

All of New Brunswick goes into Level 2 at 11:59 p.m. tonight. More information on the plan is available online.

Information about COVID-19 vaccines including booking your first, second dose or your booster dose is available at www.gnb.ca/COVID19vaccine.

Rapid-test kits continue to be available across the province. More information on the rapid-test kits program and pickup locations is available online.

Potential public exposure locations and dates are listed online. A map of potential public exposures can also be found on COVID-19 dashboard.

Information on cases in schools and daycares is available on the Healthy and Safe Schools website.

Any household in New Brunswick with a positive case of COVID-19 must isolate for 14 days, regardless of vaccination status. Individuals advised by Public Health or a physician, including confirmed cases of COVID-19, must isolate. More information about isolation is available online.

Information and resources to help New Brunswickers live with COVID-19 is available on the COVID-19 guidance and resources webpage. 

Guidance on public health measures, restrictions and the mandatory order are available online.

Information about testing, including booking PCR tests and using rapid tests, is available at www.gnb.ca/GetTestedCOVID19.

Travellers, including New Brunswickers returning to the province, must register their travel with the travel registration program.