FREDERICTON — New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs says he is optimistic he'll be able to lift the lockdown he imposed across the province by the end of the month as planned.
Higgs told a news conference today that the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals is slowing and residents have reduced their contacts by 30 per cent.
His government imposed the Level 3 lockdown last Saturday in an effort to curb an expected rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and to allow time for more people to get vaccinated.
Higgs says there has been a high level of adherence to the rules and that he is optimistic the province will be able to return to Level 2 at midnight on Jan. 30.
Under Level 3, gatherings are limited to a single household; salons, spas and entertainment centres are closed; and in-person dining is not permitted in restaurants.
Higgs says he is still considering imposing new measures to encourage more people to get vaccinated, adding that options will be discussed with cabinet and public health next week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2022.
The Canadian Press
