Masks mandatory in most indoor public spaces starting at midnight

Masks will bemandatory in most indoor public spaces in New Brunswick, regardless of whether physical distancing can be maintained, as of midnight Thursday, Premier Blaine Higgshas announced.

The decision comes as three new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 24.

Only children under age two and people with a valid medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask are exempt.

"I know that some people will not agree with this decision, but we've seen how quickly the virus can spread through a community," Higgstold reportersduring a news conference in Fredericton.

"We must take every possible measure to prevent that from happening in our province."

Higgssaid hehad been "hopeful" the majority of people would"do the right thing" and choose to wear a mask to protect the people around them after he raised the mandatory mask issue last week.

But enforcement officers have since surveyed 600 public spaces across the province and foundthe average numberof people wearing a mask was 36 per cent.

Inmajor urban centres, the number was as low as 16 per cent, he said.

"These numbers are simply not acceptable."

WATCH | Premier explains mandatory masks decision

Masks to be mandatory in indoor public places, Higgs says

4 years ago

Duration 2:21

Premier Blaine Higgs announced masks are now mandatory New Brunswick indoor public places.

The placeswhere masks will now be mandatory include:

• Public spaces where the public and employees interact, such as retail businesses, malls, service centres, places of worship, restaurants and bars except while eating.
• Organized indoor gatherings in public spaces, such as weddings andfunerals.
• Common areas, such aslobbies, elevators and hallways, and public shared spaces, including those in private-sector and government workspaces.
• Public transportation.

Continuous mask use will be required in seated venues even when there is one-metre physical distancing.

Previouslyexisting mask policies continue to apply in hospitals, health-care settings, public schools and early childhood learning facilities.

Enforcement a challenge

"We recognize this is a major announcement and businesses and individuals may need time to adjust," said Higgs.

But people are asked to comply immediately to help keep the province in the yellow phase.

The government "will never be able to enforce" mandatory mask useacross the province "in a way that's necessary to ensure we look after each other," he said.

It will, however, ramp up monitoringto determinewhether adherence is "good enough."

"I'll reserve judgment on next steps based on what compliance rate we see," Higgs said, noting businesses will now have the legal backing to enforce the mask requirement.

Ibelieve we are in a position now where people in our province will very much understand why and will want to be part of the solution.- Blaine Higgs, premier

"Right now I'm confident that there's been enough [COVID-19 cases] around us [in other provinces and Maine] and now, here amongst us, that people are going to go, 'OK, I can do my part,'" he said.

"It's one of those things, you know, 'I may not like it, but Iunderstand why.'And Ibelieve we are in a position now where people in our province will very much understand why and will want to be part of the solution."

Recommended by top doctor

Chief Medical Officer of HealthDr. Jennifer Russell said she recommended a mandatory mask policy to the COVID-19 cabinet committee and cabinet before members discussed theissue Thursday morning.

She cited theoutbreak atManoir Notre-Dame special care home in Moncton, where 19 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, and the need to take more steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

The province isinto the second wave of COVID-19,Russell said, but the full extent of the outbreak won't be known for another two weeks. The incubation period of the virus is up to 14 days.

Masks "canand will save lives," she said.

They will help New Brunswickers protect themselves and others, she said.

They are a "veryimportant tool" to minimize the risk of transmission, along with self-isolating after travel outside the Atlantic provinces, physical distancingand good hand washing.

"We have to continue to look at all of the things that we need to do as the risks increaseand balance those with mental health issues, the economy and people's finances, and having an open society as possible while mitigating the risks for COVID-19."

Nova ScotiaandNewfoundland and Labradorhave already implemented mandatory orders for masks.

Provides clarity

Before the COVID-19 committee and cabinet meeting, Interim Liberal Leader Roger Melansontold CBChe would support mandatory masks, if that was the recommendation of Public Health.

"I mean, when you see the inconsistency there's some private companies that do enforce it, some are suggesting we do wear one, we're seeing more municipalities now in their locations going forward to wear a mask.It's very inconsistent and people have their different interpretations Should I wear one? Should Inot wear one?

"So I think we have to have a provincial policy and make it clear if you should or should not."

New cases

The three new cases of COVID-19confirmed Thursday include a person in their 40s in the Saint John health region, or Zone 2, a person in their 20s in the Fredericton health region, Zone 3,and a person in their 30s in the Campbellton health region, or Zone 5.

The cases are not linked to the outbreak at theManoir Notre-Damein Moncton, according to the chief medical officer of health.

The Saint John case is related to travel outside the Atlantic bubble and the Fredericton case is related to international travel. The Campbellton case remains under investigation, said Russell.

Of the 24active cases in New Brunswick,20 are in the Monctonhealth region, which is Zone 1, two in the Saint John health region, one in the Fredericton health region and one the Campbellton health region.

Three people are in hospital, one of them in intensive care, she said.

Seventeen of the cases were announced Wednesday the province's largest single-day increase since New Brunswick's first case March 11.

All of those casesare inthe Moncton health region and connected to the Manoir Notre-Dame outbreak, which was declared Tuesday after two residents tested positive.

Thirteen residents, four staff and two family members who were close contacts of a residenthave tested positive, said Russell.