Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases after the holidays, travel into New Brunswick is now further restricted. At a press conference in Fredericton on Friday, January 8, 2021, New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell explained that travel into the province will now only be permitted for work; medical reasons; obtaining essential supplies for the communities of Pointe-à-la-Croix and Listuguj First Nation, in Quebec; and child custody or compassionate reasons if approved by Public Health.

“These new measures are being taken to keep everyone safe,” said Dr. Russell. “The inconvenience is small when compared to the illness this will prevent and the lives this will save.”

The new travel restrictions are similar to the guidelines Public Health has previously issued prior to June of 2020. Under the new restrictions, Canadian residents who own property in the province or who have family members (parents, children, siblings, grandchildren, grandparents, significant other) residing in New Brunswick will no longer be permitted to enter the province.

Minister of Education Dominic Cardy was a also at the press conference to explain how the Orange level of recovery applies to school protocol. Staff and students of all ages must now wear a mask on school buses and in school, but masks can be removed when students are eating, drinking, or engaged in sports or physical education classes. Kindergarten to Grade 8 students can also remove their masks if they are working quietly at their desk.

“Thanks to New Brunswickers following these measures, we have been able to avoid extensive transmission in schools and have minimized the impact of the pandemic on learning,” said Minister Cardy. “We have used a layered approach that includes keeping students in consistent, smaller groups; using masks; encouraging proper hygiene; and promoting physical distancing as much as possible. Everyone must co-operate to keep our schools healthy and safe for our students.”