Lockdown Status In New Brunswick

New Brunswick has been navigating the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic since the province confirmed its first case on March 11, 2020. The province has implemented various measures to balance public safety and economic concerns, including a 3-level system of business and community operations during the winter of 2022. While the COVID-19 situation in New Brunswick has caused disruptions, the province has not been in a full lockdown since the suspension of the Atlantic Bubble in Fall 2021.

New Brunswick's COVID-19 lockdown measures

The COVID-19 pandemic in New Brunswick has been an ongoing viral pandemic since March 11, 2020, when the province confirmed its first case. The province has the eighth-most cases out of ten provinces and three territories in Canada.

Atlantic Bubble

On July 3, 2020, New Brunswick joined three other provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia) to form the Atlantic Bubble, which allowed free travel among member provinces but restricted access to travellers from outside. This was suspended in November 2020 due to rising cases, then reopened in Spring 2021 before being suspended again in Fall 2021.

GNB COVID Winter Level Measures

In Winter 2022, the Province of New Brunswick set a 3-level system of business and community operations. The system provided information on business operations, gatherings, schools, events, and permitted operations during each level.

GNB Small Business Grant Program

The third phase of this program offered enhanced eligibility for businesses impacted by recent pandemic measures. Phase 3 included businesses that accessed the grant under the first two phases, with the full amount available being $10,000. To meet eligibility criteria, small businesses had to submit their number of employees (between 2 and 99 full-time employees) and evidence of revenue decrease of 20% or more compared to 2019/2020.

Provincial Support for Self-Employed Businesses

Opportunities NB launched a financial support program offering non-repayable grants of $2,000 to self-employed business people who had to close due to COVID-19 restrictions. To be eligible, businesses had to be permanent New Brunswick-based businesses that were actively operating before being ordered to close, have a valid CRA Business Number, be in good standing with the provincial government and the Corporate Registry of New Brunswick, and provide evidence of annual gross business income of over $30,000.

Changes to Testing Protocols

As of January 4, 2022, the Government of New Brunswick changed its COVID-19 testing regime. PCR tests were reserved for specific groups, including healthcare workers, symptomatic individuals aged 50 and over, and those who are immunocompromised or pregnant. Positive rapid tests were treated as positive results, with isolation guidelines varying for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Support for self-employed businesses during lockdown

As of March 2024, the COVID-19 pandemic in New Brunswick had resulted in 1,017 deaths. The province has the eighth-highest number of cases out of ten provinces and three territories in Canada. In response to the pandemic, the New Brunswick government has implemented various measures, including school closures, limiting restaurant capacity, and shutting down non-essential government services.

During the pandemic, the New Brunswick government has offered support to self-employed businesses impacted by COVID-19 closures. In January 2022, Opportunities New Brunswick announced a one-time $2,000 grant for self-employed people, the first offering of its kind since the pandemic began. This grant was specifically for one-person businesses, with no employees, and earning $30,000 in revenue per year. Arlene Dunn, the minister responsible for Opportunities New Brunswick, explained that the Self-Employed Lockdown Fund was created in response to concerns from small businesses about insufficient federal grant programs.

While the $2,000 grant was a step in the right direction, it did not cover businesses with one employee or fewer than two full-time-equivalent employees. To address this gap, the New Brunswick government introduced the Small Business Recovery Grant program, which provides grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses employing between two and 99 full-time equivalent staff. This program was announced alongside a two-week lockdown that mandated the closure of hair salons, gyms, and entertainment centres.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted New Brunswick, and the government has taken measures to support self-employed businesses through grants and other initiatives. These efforts aim to provide financial assistance and help sustain businesses and jobs during challenging times.

Lockdown benefits for employees

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen governments worldwide implement various lockdown measures to curb the spread of the virus. These measures have resulted in significant disruptions to businesses and the lives of employees. To mitigate the impact of lockdowns, governments and organizations have introduced several initiatives to support employees. Here are some of the key lockdown benefits for employees:

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Many organizations have adopted flexible work arrangements, allowing employees to work from home or offering flexible working hours. This helps employees balance their personal and professional lives, especially those with caregiving responsibilities or health concerns.
• Financial Support: Governments and companies have provided financial assistance to employees affected by lockdowns. This includes wage subsidies, income support, and enhanced unemployment benefits. These measures aim to ensure employees can meet their financial obligations and maintain a stable income during challenging times.
• Job Retention Schemes: Governments have implemented job retention schemes, such as short-time work programs or wage subsidies, to encourage employers to retain their workforce. These schemes help employees keep their jobs and provide income support during reduced working hours.
• Enhanced Healthcare Benefits: Employers may offer enhanced healthcare benefits, including mental health services, to support employees' well-being during lockdowns. This recognizes the increased stress and anxiety that may arise due to health concerns, social isolation, or financial worries.
• Training and Skill Development: Lockdown periods have been utilized by employers to provide training and skill development opportunities for employees. This investment in human capital not only benefits the employees by enhancing their skill set but also positions the organization for future growth.
• Childcare Support: Employers may offer childcare support, such as childcare vouchers or flexible work arrangements, to help employees balance their work and family commitments. This is especially important for parents, particularly mothers, who may struggle to manage childcare responsibilities while working remotely.
• Access to Technology: Organizations have provided employees with the necessary technology, such as laptops and software, to facilitate remote work during lockdowns. This ensures employees can remain connected, productive, and engaged while working from home.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): EAPs have become increasingly important during lockdowns. These programs offer confidential support and resources to employees, addressing issues such as mental health, financial stress, and work-life balance.
• Paid Time Off: Some organizations have introduced or expanded paid time off policies to provide employees with additional paid leave. This recognizes the need for employees to take breaks, manage their well-being, or deal with unexpected circumstances, such as caring for a sick family member.
• Health and Safety Measures: Employers have implemented enhanced health and safety measures in the workplace to protect employees from the risk of COVID-19 infection. This includes social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection, mandatory mask-wearing, and temperature checks, among other protocols.

COVID-19 testing protocols

The COVID-19 pandemic in New Brunswick is an ongoing viral pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. The province has the eighth-most cases out of all the provinces and territories in Canada.

Testing Protocols:

COVID-19 testing in New Brunswick has undergone changes, with the provincial government announcing on New Year's Eve 2022 that it would be limiting PCR testing to high-risk populations. This includes:

• People in areas at the highest risk, such as healthcare workers and those in long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, and correctional facilities.
• Symptomatic individuals aged 50 and above.
• Symptomatic individuals who are immunocompromised or pregnant.
• People requiring a PCR test for international travel.
• Anyone identified as a priority by Public Health.

For those who do not fall into these categories, rapid antigen testing, also known as Point of Care Tests (POCT), is available. These tests can be used for screening and provide on-site results within 15 minutes. Individuals aged two years and above who develop symptoms can use these tests. It is important to note that a positive rapid test is considered a positive case, and no further confirmation through a PCR test is needed.

If an individual tests positive with a rapid POCT, they should follow the online instructions for those who test positive. They are encouraged to stay at home and isolate, and if they experience severe symptoms, they should call 911 immediately.

For individuals under the age of two who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, it is recommended to contact a primary care provider or eVisitNB.ca to discuss whether a PCR test is required.

PCR test results for children can be accessed by parents or guardians through the MyHealthNB portal, provided the child is under 16 and has an NB Medicare number.

New Brunswick's Atlantic Bubble travel restrictions

On July 3, 2020, New Brunswick joined three other Atlantic provinces—Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia—to form the Atlantic Bubble. This travel bubble allowed free travel among residents of the four provinces but restricted access to travellers from outside provinces.

The bubble was suspended in November 2020 due to rising cases across Canada but was reinstated in Spring 2021. However, it was suspended again in Fall 2021 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

During the bubble's suspension, each province maintained its own travel restrictions for those coming from outside the Atlantic region. For example, in March 2024, travellers from outside the Atlantic provinces were banned from entering Prince Edward Island unless they were pre-approved as essential workers, seasonal residents, or for compassionate reasons. Similarly, travellers from outside the Atlantic Bubble were not permitted to enter Newfoundland and Labrador, except for specific exemptions. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia had the most relaxed travel rules, allowing Canadian travellers from outside the bubble to enter but requiring a 14-day self-isolation period.

New Brunswick imposed a 14-day quarantine rule for anyone entering the province until the Atlantic Bubble reopened on April 19, 2021. This caused some confusion and frustration for those travelling between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as the latter had lifted the isolation requirement for people coming from New Brunswick.

Frequently asked questions