New Brunswick Recovery Plan - Orange Level

• 2020-11-27

ORANGE LEVEL

Balancing the reopening of businesses and activities while preventing a resurgence of transmission. Significant risk that COVID-19 is no longer under control in the province.

Risk Assessment:

• Travel-related cases and new chains of community transmission are accelerating.
• Health-care system still able to manage but under pressure.
• Compliance with public health measures decreasing.
• Outbreaks can still be controlled through public health measures.

Subject to the Public Health and WorkSafeNB COVID-19 general guidance, the following activities are allowed:

• Single household bubble. Your single household bubble can be extended to a caregiver, an immediate family member or an individual in your life who requires support, including mental, social and emotional support. If you live alone and need mental health or other care support, a caregiver can be a formal or informal caregiver, such as a close friend or neighbour. It is only this same single household permitted to go to restaurants and other venues including church together.
• NEW: Driving with members of your single household bubble or caregiver is permitted and masks are not required.
• NEW: Carpooling with others for work, school, medical appointments, or to access essential services such as groceries is permitted. When carpooling, continuous masking and maintaining social distancing is required. If possible, only transport passengers outside your single household bubble in the back seat. Drivers must screen potential passengers for signs of illness, and drivers or passengers who are ill or who have been told to self-isolate by Public Health must stay home. Maximize ventilation in the vehicle, and do not recirculate the air. Clean and disinfect all surfaces that may have been touched by the passenger.
• Essential travel only is recommended in and out of Orange level zones, however, people can continue to travel within the province for work, school, essential errands and medical appointments.
• Outdoor gatherings with physical distancing of 25 people or fewer are permitted. Physical distancing is required in all other settings.
• Faith venues can operate under a COVID-19 operational plan. In-person services are limited to 50 participants, or fewer depending upon the size of the facility, with two metres of physical distancing. Continuous mask wearing is required. No singing is permitted. Other indoor religious observances, funerals, celebrations of life, marriage ceremonies, receptions and social gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited.
• Wearing face masks is mandatory in public spaces, both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor public spaces include parks, playgrounds, markets, festival sites, dog parks, and walking trails. A mask is not required while walking, jogging or cycling with people in the same bubble, where they are unlikely to encounter people, or risk coming within two metres of, people from outside their bubble.
• Non-urgent medical procedures and elective surgeries are allowed.
• Strict visitor restrictions are to be maintained in settings with vulnerable people.
• Primary care providers and regulated health professionals may operate but are urged to use virtual appointments whenever possible.
• Unregulated health professionals, barbers, hair stylists or spas may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan, with enhanced public health measures such as active screening of patrons, closed waiting rooms, and enhanced barriers.
• Daycares and K-12 schools are open under strict guidance. Virtual teaching is to be used for at-risk populations. Day camps are allowed.
• Post-secondary educational institutions may operate.
• Outdoor recreational activities are allowed, including campgrounds, ATV or snowmobile trails.
• Recreational and sport organizations may operate but are limited to practices and/or skills and drills within a single team.
• Gym, fitness facilities, and yoga studios may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan with additional public health measures, including:
• Two metres of physical distancing, with masks, in low-intensity fitness classes such as yoga, tai chi, and stretching; and three metres of physical distancing for high-intensity activities such as spin, aerobics and boot camp active screening and record keeping of patrons. closed locker rooms/common areas.
• Entertainment venues such as casinos, amusement centres, bingo halls, arcades, cinemas and large live performance facilities may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan. The occupancy limit is set at 50 or fewer, depending upon the size of the venue and the ability to ensure two metres of physical distancing, with continuous mask use and record keeping.
• Public Transit can operate with 1m distancing between riders AND continuous use of a mask. Ensure space is available for individuals who require 2m distancing for medical reasons (e.g. immunocompromised and those that can’t wear mask).
• NEW: Effective at 12:00 a.m. Nov. 27, licensed premises such as a bar or restaurant in areas in the Orange level of recovery must ensure all patrons are seated at all times, except to enter and exit the premises and to go to and from washrooms.
• All other businesses, including food, beverage and retail, may operate under a COVID-19 operational plan. Distancing of two metres is required where food and beverages are served. Record keeping for seated venues is a requirement.