At a press conference on Thursday, December 10, Public Health has recommended that Zone 2 (Saint John region) move to the Yellow level effective at midnight on Friday, December 11. In the Yellow level of recovery, New Brunswickers are no longer required to stick to a one-household bubble. Informal indoor gatherings of up to 20 people are permitted.

“I thank everyone who has done their part by following the rules by staying within their single-household bubble and wearing a mask in all public places,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “New Brunswick is leading the way by keeping our case numbers low and keeping outbreaks contained when they do happen. While we have had to move zones to the Orange level several times since our province came out of lockdown, we have been able to quickly get the situation under control every single time.”

Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said and increase in compliance with Public Health directives resulted in a drop in the increase in new cases of COVID-19

“Everyone should aim to keep their social contacts, the people you spend time with without wearing a mask or maintaining physical distance, to no more than 20 individuals,” said Dr. Russell. “I strongly suggest that everyone make a list of their close contacts and aim to keep it to the same 20 for the rest of 2020. If we all do this, we stand a better chance of limiting the impact of future outbreaks.”

“We expect the first 1,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to arrive in New Brunswick next week,” said Greg MacCallum, director of the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization. “In a province of more than 700,000 people, a total of 1,950 doses is a small number, but it is the first step in a program of regular deliveries going forward. We need people to understand that it will take much of 2021 to roll out and administer vaccine to all New Brunswickers, and to all Canadians.”

1950 New Brunswickers will also receive the first of two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine later next week. Greg MacCallum, director of the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization, said a vaccine plan for New Brunswick is currently in development, and priority groups who will receive the vaccine first have already been decided.

“We expect the first 1,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to arrive in New Brunswick next week,” said MacCallum. “In a province of more than 700,000 people, a total of 1,950 doses is a small number, but it is the first step in a program of regular deliveries going forward. We need people to understand that it will take much of 2021 to roll out and administer vaccine to all New Brunswickers, and to all Canadians.”