N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Province declares state of emergency

New Brunswick has declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, giving the government broad powers to enforce business closures and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus, Premier Blaine Higgs announced Thursday.

It comes as the number of confirmed cases has jumped to seven, and the number of probable cases stands at four. No one has been hospitalized.

The government did not make the decision lightlybut was compelled to take this "extraordinary measure" because too many people are still not following the advice of public health officials,Higgs told reporters during the daily briefing in Fredericton.

"These are unprecedented actions, but these are necessary as we are in unprecedented times."

Retail operations must close, with some exceptions, such as grocery stores, retailers of fuels, repair garages, post offices, financial and lending institutions, convenience stores, hardware and automotive parts, animal and fish feed providers,pharmacies, gas stations, NB Liquor and Cannabis NB.

All businesses required to stop admitting patrons are permitted to sell online or over the phone and to arrange delivery or pickup of purchases.

Premier Blaine Higgs declares state of emergency in New Brunswick

5 years ago

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At a news conference Thursday, Higgs listed the businesses and operations that have been ordered to close immediately.

All food and beverage businesses will be reduced to takeout and delivery service only, and all bars must close.

Barber shops, hairdressers and salons must also cease operations.

Public schools, universities, colleges, and private schools must remain closed to studentsuntil further notice.

Plumbers and electricians are exempted as long as they haven't been outside Canada because they will have to self-isolate within their home for 14 days after their return to Canada.

Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, said she supported the measure to "ensure compliance."

She said she is "concerned" New Brunswickers are not doing enough to help the health-care system manage the crisis,preventingfurther illness and saving lives.

Russell has asked people to stay home if possible and to maintain a social distance of six feet, or about two metres.

• What does N.B.'s emergency declaration mean for businesses and workers?

"Before this was a recommendation, today it's a requirement," Higgs said.

"I am convinced that this decision to declare a state of emergencyis the best way to protect everyone in New Brunswick," he said.

"It will allow us to avoid the dire situation we are seeing in other areas around the world."

Speaking of people not following the government's advice, Higgspointed to travellers being picked up at the airport and driven home by family and friends as if everything was normal.

"We believe that 'it won't happen to me.' And you know what? It's happened to a lot of people and right now folks in Italy are saying, 'I wish I paid more attention.'"

According to the Public Health website, 410 of the tests done so far have come back negative for the virus.

What about enforcement?

If people don't follow these orders, the province will look at different ways to enforce thenew rules and look at "next steps," Higgs said.

"This is not optional."

Asked if it's possible someone could go to jail for disobeying, Higgs said the declaration does provide authorities with such powers.

"But that is not our intent," he said. "Nor do we hope that we get there.

"But I think that residents need to understand that we only do this to ensure that these rules, these requirements, must be followed."

Here is a roundup of other developments Thursday:

Listen to your doctor

According to government,every person who has been directed by a physician to self-isolate, has to obey.

Every person who has been outside Canada will self-isolate athome for 14 days after their return to Canada. If they experience symptoms of COVID-19, they need to self-isolate until they are free of symptoms.

All regulated health serviceproviders are stopping a lot of their regular operations but not essential or emergency health care.

Most unregulated health services providers have to immediately stop theiroperations, under the declaration of a state of emergency.

What about my business?

Government has also ordered owners and operators who run places that attract large groups to now limitgatherings to 10 people at most.

Owners and managers of all workplaces and activities have been ordered toensure minimal interaction of people within twometres of each other and carry out other prevention advice from Public Health.

Hotels can stay open provided they reasonable steps to prevent gatherings of more than 10 people.

Meanwhile, the right of landlords toevict tenants for not paying rent hasbeen suspended until May 31.

What about my driver's licence?

All licences, registrations, certificates and permits issued by the Province of New Brunswick that are valid as of March 16, will remainvalid until May 31 unless suspended by a court or by other authority under an Act of the Province.

• N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Higgs steps up plea for caution as 3 new cases are reported

Service New Brunswick is also working with the Department of Public Safety to address services that can't be done online because certain documentation must be presented in person.

Service New Brunswick announced earlier this week that it was closing all centres for now.

Clinic picture uncertain

If patients without a family doctorhave health issues unrelated to COVID-19, they should contact a local walk-in clinic where possible, the New Brunswick Medical Society says.

This could be difficult to navigate, since some walk-in clinics are open and others have closed because of the outbreak. The closuresincludethe Mountain Road After Hours Medical Clinic in Moncton and the Millidgeville Medical Clinic in Saint John.

At the New Maryland After Hours Clinic near Fredericton, patients are being encouraged to call the clinic instead of waiting in groups to see a doctor.

On Wednesday,chief medical health officer Jennifer Russellencouraged patients who don't have family doctors but need prescription renewals or help unrelated to the coronavirusto call 811.

It wasn't clear from Russell's answer how the 811 service would get people help from doctors, but she did say the province was working on the issue with the medical society.

• Here is a list of cancellations across the province because of Covid-19

According to the society website, as of July 2018,more than44,000 New Brunswickerswere without a family doctor.

Provincial parks close

Following government's decision to shut down all non-essential services, all provincial parks are closed until further notice.

This closure includes the three provincial parks which are usually open during the winter months:Mount Carleton, Mactaquac and Sugarloaf.

Why Saint John Transit is offering free fare

Saint John Transit will not be collecting fares from passengers taking the bus.

Riding the bus in Saint John is free for the time being. Saint John Transit has asked passengers to enter through the back doors of buses to avoid contact with drivers. Passengers with disabilities can still board through the front doors.

• Some children with COVID-19 become seriously ill, study finds

Trish Ellsworth, chair of the Saint John transit and Parking Commission, said public transitis for people who cannot and do not have an option to work from home, like health care providers and grocery store workers.

• UNB biology department notified of possible COVID-19 contact

"This is not now a freeforall to go on a coffee date with some friends, as our government officials have been saying for a number of days now. We should be isolating and we should be staying home if at all possible."

Air Canada suspends flights

Air Canada has postponed a number of domestic flights that will affect four New Brunswick airports until April 30.

The suspended flights include:

• Flights betweenOttawa andMonctonstartingMarch 23.

• Flights betweenSaint John and Toronto starting March 23.

• Flights betweenMontreal andBathurststarting March 23.

• Flights betweenFredericton andToronto startingApril 1.

Saint John Airport director of commercial development, Jacques Fournier saideven before the announcement, the number of travellers on departure flights hadalready fallen off dramatically.

"There's a lot of people arriving, and not a whole lot leaving, said Fournier."Obviously everybody is scrambling to get back home. We believe that April will obviously be very slow until the curve [of Covid-19 cases] canbe settled down a little bit."

What to do if you have any symptoms?

Symptoms of coronavirus can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. With any of these, residents should:

• Stay at home.

• Immediately call Tele-Care 811.

• Describe symptoms and travel history.

• Follow instructions carefully.