New Brunswick’s premier says the rising number of COVID-19 cases, particularly in the Saint John region, is a reality check that the virus does exist.
But provincial officials say it is not too late for all New Brunswickers to work together and turn the situation around.
Premier Blaine Higgs said New Brunswickers have worked so hard in recent months and he is sad to think we could lose the gains we have made at the last minute.
Higgs said the last thing he wants to do is shut down businesses and see us move back to where we were in March and April.
“But the situation we’re now seeing in two southern zones is putting us very much in that area, particularly in the Saint John zone,” he said.
“We’ve seen activities that defy logic in face of a pandemic. We’ve seen undue care and attention, caution thrown to the wind, and basically thinking it doesn’t exist here in New Brunswick.”
Public Health reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, including 16 cases in the Saint John health region (Zone 2), six in the Moncton health region (Zone 1) and one in the Fredericton health region (Zone 3).
Higgs warned the entire province could join the Saint John and Moncton regions in the orange phase of recovery if we do not follow the rules and get the virus under control.
The premier said enforcement officers are issuing tickets and will shut down businesses that are not complying with the rules.
“If people come into your establishment and they don’t want to follow the rules, ask them to leave,” said Higgs. We can help you have them leave if they choose to be defiant.”
‘You Know The Rules, So Start Following Them’
Health Minister Dorothy Shephard, who also joined Saturday’s news conference, said the rising number of cases shows our province is extremely vulnerable.
“What we’re seeing today is the result of actions made days ago,” said Shephard. “What we will see in the next few days is the result of actions taken days ago.”
Shephard reminded people about the importance of wearing a face mask in public, maintaining two-metre physical distancing, avoiding group gatherings, and staying home if you’re sick.
While most people are complying in public places, she said, others have been letting their guard down.
“We think it’s simple,” said Shephard. “You know the rules, so start following them.”
Shephard told New Brunswickers to imagine what would happen if our cases doubled daily like is happening in other places.
“23 new cases today would be 46 by tomorrow,” she said. “If this happens, it will be a very short period of time before we are seeing high rates of new cases daily. Our health care system will be completely overwhelmed as we are seeing happening in other provinces.”
The health minister urged those who see someone or a business not following the rules to report it.
“We can still turn this around. To do so, we must work together and we must follow the rules. To do so, we must care for one another.”
