FOG BLOG NB NEWS LOG: ATLANTIC BUBBLE POSTPONED TILL MAY:

N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Atlantic bubble postponed till May 3.

• Atlantic bubble delayed until May 3

• Higgs urges truck drivers to get vaccinated

• 4 new cases in two zones

• New public exposure notice

• Cardy apologizes for last-minute decision to halt in-person classes

• More possible exposures

• What to do if you have a symptom

The reopening of the Atlantic bubble has been postponed until at least May 3 over concerns about a surge in new cases of COVID-19. In a news release Tuesday afternoon, the Council of Atlantic Premiers announced the decision was made given the spike in new cases and the emergence of more transmissible forms of the virus. "Given the recent surge in cases of COVID-19 in parts of Atlantic Canada and the emergence of more transmissible forms of the virus, the Council of Atlantic Premiers has agreed to delay the reopening of the Atlantic Bubble by at least two weeks, to May 3rd, 2021," says the release. "The decision is based upon expert advice from the region's Chief Medical Officers of Health." The release said the relaxation of travel restrictions will be "closely monitored" and may change at any time based on public health advice regarding conditions in the region. The bubble, which would allow travel among the four Atlantic Canadian provinces without the need to self-isolate, was originally supposed to open on April 19, But Premier Blaine Higgs on Tuesday morning was already casting doubt on that happening, citing the growing number of variant cases. Speaking to reporters prior to the latest announcement, Higgs said he was keen on seeing the bubble reopen, but added there would be risks associated with it. "If we mitigate that with vaccines, that makes it more secure for us to open," Higgs said. The postponement of the bubble also came after Nova Scotia, Premier Iain Rankin announced earlier Tuesday that travellers from New Brunswick will once again have to self-isolate for 14 days when they enter Nova Scotia.