The Government of New Brunswick announced in a press conference at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday that the province will enter Level 3 of the COVID-19 winter plan at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 14.
The province sits at a record-high of 104 hospitalizations. Premier Blaine Higgs said the move to Level 3 was made due to future projections for rising hospitalizations.
“This was never something I wanted to do and I really hate to take this next step,” he said.
The restrictions will remain until Jan. 30 at 11:59 p.m.
The Level 3 restrictions include single household bubbles; no public gatherings; take-out only at restaurants; entertainment centres, gyms and salons will close; and faith gatherings can occur outdoors or in-car.
But non-essential retail will remain with Level 2 restrictions instead of switching to curbside pickup or delivery only.
Single household bubbles may be expanded to include a caregiver to support the needs of someone in the household; one other person who needs support such as another family member or a person who lives alone; children from another household for the purpose of informal daycare or education support; or in cases of joint custody where children would be considered part of both households.
St. Thomas University, University of New Brunswick remain open with continued online course model
St. Thomas University announced around 4:45 p.m. that the current remote course model will continue until Feb. 7.
Until Jan. 30, STU’s campus will move to an essential services model. All offices, with the exception of facilities management, student services and residence life, will move online. Residence and food service operations will continue.
Campus buildings will remain open and faculty and staff will be able to access their offices, with the exception of the J.B. O’Keefe Fitness Centre, as per GNB guidelines.
The University of New Brunswick announced around 3:35 p.m. that only courses that must be delivered in-person to meet course outcomes will resume in-person on Jan. 24. All other courses will be continued remotely, with in-person learning resuming on Feb. 7.
UNB’s campus will remain open following public health guidelines.
Faculty and staff who can work from home may continue to do so until Feb. 7 with approval from their supervisor.
With files from Jessica Saulnier
