Blane Higgs - Covid Press Confrence

December 21, 2021: Premier Blaine Higgs, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell, and Health Minister Dorothy Shephard held a press conference at 2:30 p.m. The announcement included the following key points:

- Tighter Level 2 Restrictions: The entire province was moving to stricter Level 2 restrictions due to surging COVID-19 cases over the Christmas holidays.

- Household Contacts: Household contacts were limited to a maximum of 10 individuals.

- Dining-in Rules: Restaurants were allowed to offer dining-in services, but they had to operate at 50% capacity and request proof of vaccination.

- Public Gatherings: Venues could not host events with more than 150 people or 50% capacity, whichever was less.

- Travel Measures: Travelers, including New Brunswickers returning to the province, had to register or have a multi-use travel pass. Unvaccinated individuals entering the province had to isolate and be tested on day 10.

- Modeling Projections: New modeling projected up to 250 new cases per day by early January and as many as 400 new cases per day by the end of next month. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/public-health-covid-update-1.6293652

December 31, 2021: Premier Blaine Higgs announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 after completing a rapid test. He participated virtually in a news conference to update the public on COVID-19 testing, isolation, and contact tracing in light of the dominant Omicron variant. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-covid-19-roundup-dec-31-1.6301325

September 24, 2021: Premier Blaine Higgs reinstated the state of emergency in New Brunswick. Hospitalizations, rather than case numbers, were the trigger for this decision. https://globalnews.ca/news/8217907/nb-covid-19-sept-24-2021/

March 4, 2021: Premier Blaine Higgs raised the possibility of a faster rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations and a quicker reopening of provincial borders. With new federal recommendations allowing delayed second doses, New Brunswick aimed to get everyone their first shot by the end of June. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-roundup-cases-march4-1.5936718

Record Cases and Personal Revelation: During a press conference discussing record cases, Premier Blaine Higgs revealed that he had COVID-19. This occurred as provinces across Canada adjusted their health restrictions in response to the Omicron variant. https://nationalpost.com/news/many-provinces-modifying-health-restrictions-amid-rising-covid-tide