New Brunswick confirmed no additional cases of COVID-19 on Saturday.
The province remains at 14 active cases, with four patients hospitalized, though none are currently in the intensive care unit. All of the existing cases are in the Zone 5 Campbellton region.
This week brought New Brunswick’s first death as a result of the virus, 84-year-old Daniel Ouellette was a resident at Manoir de la Vallee, a long-term care facility in Atholville.
On Friday, Premier Blaine Higgs announced the province would be moving into the next phase of the yellow stage of economic recovery.
In this stage, indoor gatherings of 10 people or fewer are permitted, as are religious services, such as weddings and funerals, of up to 50 people.
The province has also clarified its direction on when people should wear face coverings when entering public buildings.
On Friday, the province said anyone entering a public building would have to wear a face covering but could remove it once inside if physical distancing is possible.
“Cabinet has reviewed the decision and it was not the intent to place an additional expectation on businesses or the public regarding wearing a face covering in a public space. Therefore, there will be no change to the state of emergency order that has been in place since May 14 regarding face coverings,” said the province in a news release Saturday.
That means New Brunswickers will only have to wear a face covering in public if physical distancing of two metres cannot be maintained. Children under the age of two and those who cannot wear one for medical reasons are exempt, though the province did not provide details on what qualifies as a medical reason.
“People are strongly encouraged to have a mask with them at all times when in a public area so they can put it on if physical distancing cannot be maintained,” said the release.
