FOG BLOG NB NEWS LOG: WITH COVID CASES OVER 75 FOR MANY DAYS NOW, NB ANNOUCES WINTER COVID PLAN:

N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Winter plan goes into effect Saturday night, 2 deaths, 97 new cases...Three-level plan will remain in place until spring, indoor gatherings limited to 20 people.....Cases confirmed at 6 ASD-W schools

Plan puts household gathering limit at 20 people
Breakdown of new cases
Booster shots will be available to those 50 and up next week
55 people from omicron-variant-barred countries isolating in N.B.
Moncton Hospital outbreaks grow to include 37 people
Miramichi hospital outbreak affects surgeries, procedures
Saint John hospital outbreak stands at 2
New cases at 3 schools, 1 child-care facility
Atlantic COVID roundup...The New Brunswick government released its Winter Action Plan for COVID-19 on Friday, as it confirmed two more COVID-related deaths and 97 new cases.

In the face of a "very concerning" rise in infections over the past two weeks and a disproportionate number of cases among the unvaccinated, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said the three-level plan with new restrictions will take effect Saturday at 11:59 p.m.

It will remain in effect until spring, she said at a live-streamed COVID-19 update.

The entire province will be in Level 1, the lowest level of restrictions, when the plan takes effect. It includes the following rules and guidelines:

Maximum of 20 people for informal indoor household gatherings. This replaces the current "steady 20" restriction, which health officials told CBC News actually poses less risk, but wasn't enforceable and some people were having difficulty keeping track of who their 20 consistent contacts were.
Maximum of 50 people for informal outdoor gatherings.
Unvaccinated residents should avoid informal indoor gatherings.
Masks are required in outdoor public spaces when physical distancing can't be maintained.
Malls, grocery stores, salons must enforce physical distancing or may instead require proof of vaccination from all patrons.
Schools will follow existing plans at this time.
All travellers, including New Brunswickers returning to the province, must register or have a multi-use pass.
Unvaccinated people entering the province are required to isolate and take a test on Day 10.
All travellers arriving by air will be provided with a rapid testing kit.

"With winter comes colder weather, shorter days, more time spent inside and increased opportunity for COVID-19 to spread," said Shephard.

"It is important we have a plan in place that ensures our health-care system is not overwhelmed, but also considers the mental, physical and financial health of New Brunswickers."

The measures are not difficult, she said.