Park Place Retreats on Grand Manan opened this past week--the latest addition to the glamping vacation trend sweeping Atlantic Canada and the world. 21-year-old Grand Manan native Hunter Park who is also a business student at St. Francis Xavier University bought a plot of land on a hill with a stunning view of Swallowtail Lighthouse with the intent of bringing the glamping trend to his hometown. 

What took four months to build is already nearly fully booked summer. If you can't score a summertime reservation, you can also rent fully-winterized dome in the off-season.

"I'm thinking of adding a hot tub in time for winter," said Parks.

Grand Manan Mayor Bonnie Morse said Park Place Retreats is a great modern addition to the island's rich tourism scene. Mayor Morse says, despite the challenges the tourism industry faced due to COVID-19, vacationers have still found their way to Grand Manan thanks to the island's unique charm and beauty.

"We have been fortunate that New Brunswickers have kept returning to the island to enjoy what we have to offer," said Morse.

Starting July 30 at 11:59pm, New Brunswickers will no longer need to wear masks in public, limit gathering sizes or follow social distancing, and visitors from other parts of Canada won't have to register before entering the province.

On Friday, Premier Blaine Higgs announced that New Brunswick is not renewing the mandatory order put in place in March of 2020, lifting all COVID-19 restrictions that have been in place for the past year and a half..  

"No provincial restrictions period," said Premier Higgs, bluntly at a press conference in Fredericton.

The lifting of restrictions will come into effect a couple days earlier than the original August 2nd target and also ahead of the province meeting its goal of having 75% of the eligible population fully vaccinated. Dr. Russell is confident New Brunswick will hit the 75% target soon, however, considering over 80% of eligible New Brunswickers have already had at least one dose of a vaccine. Of the new cases that are emerging in New Brunswick, the majority are among unvaccinated individuals, Dr. Russell said. 

Federal restrictions at the international border will still remain in place until August 9th.