FOG BLOG COVID 19 LOG: 10 NEW CASES HERE, ONTARIO TO PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE FOR 4 WEEKS, 2500 NEW:

NO JOKE BEING APRIL 1ST.......The Ontario government is imposing a province-wide "emergency brake" starting Saturday, but stopped short of a stay-at-home order, despite modelling showing such a measure could significantly curb the surge in COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations.

The measure comes into effect as of 12:01 a.m. on April 3, the province said in a news release, and will be in place for at least four weeks.

"We are facing a serious situation and drastic measures are required to contain the rapid spread of the virus, especially the new variants of concern," Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.

"I know pulling the emergency brake will be difficult on many people across the province, but we must try and prevent more people from getting infected and overwhelming our hospitals. Our vaccine rollout is steadily increasing, and I encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. That is our best protection against this deadly virus."

Restrictions will include:

Prohibiting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, and limiting the capacity for outdoor gatherings to a five-person maximum — except for gatherings with members of the same household, or gatherings of members of one household and one other person who lives alone.
Limits on in-person shopping: a 50 per cent capacity limit for supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers' markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies; and a 25 per cent limit for all other retail including big box stores.
No personal care services.
No indoor and outdoor dining. Take out, delivery and drive-thru options are allowed.
Prohibiting the use of facilities for indoor or outdoor sports and recreational fitness, with very limited exceptions.
The closure of day camps.
Limiting capacity at weddings, funerals, and religious services to 15 per cent occupancy per room indoors, and to the number of people who can maintain two metres of physical distance outdoors. This does not include social gatherings associated with these services such as receptions, which are not permitted indoors and are limited to five people outdoors..........NEW BRUNSWICK COVID REPORT........New Brunswickers who are aged 75 and older are now eligible to schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

“The regional health authority clinics have the capacity to take on additional appointments,” said Dorothy Shephard, New Brusnwick’s minister of health. “We are providing this option to make sure everyone who is eligible has the opportunity to be vaccinated in a timely manner.”

Individuals in this age group, or a caregiver or family member calling on their behalf, can book their appointments through a regional health authority clinic or by contacting a pharmacy.Health officials in New Brunswick are reporting 10 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.

One of the cases is in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and involves an individual in their 30s. This case is related to travel.

Nine of the cases are in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) and involve: