N.B. COVID-19 roundup: All restrictions to be lifted by March 14

Premier Blaine Higgs says all COVID-19 restrictions in New Brunswick will be gone by March 14, though provincial employees will still be required to get vaccinated for now.

The first of the measures to go will be the need to show proof of vaccination at places such as restaurants, theatres and gyms, which will be dropped at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 28, Higgs announced Thursday.

All remaining requirements of the public — about limits on gatherings, isolation requirements and indoor and outdoor masking — will come to an end with the end of the mandatory order at 12:01 a.m. on March 14, he told reporters at a briefing.

"I am very pleased today to be able to say that as demonstrated by Public Health modelling, the number of hospitalizations continues to trend downward, putting less strain on our health-care system," said Higgs.

"Horizon and Vitalité [health networks] say they are managing the situation and are actively transitioning back to normal operations."

At the same time, Higgs pointed to the move by his government last fall to require all provincial employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and said those who refused to will remain on unpaid leave for now.

"We haven't made a decision in regards to when they will be able to return to work and under what conditions," Higgs said, answering questions from reporters.

"As we lift measures we will be looking at all our pandemic policies, including mandatory vaccination for existing employees." Getting vaccinated continues to be a condition for new employees, he added.

Higgs said other employers, including the regional health authorities, will still have the ability to require employees be vaccinated.

He was the last of the Atlantic premiers to announce when restrictions will be lifted.

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced that province will drop all COVID-19 restrictions by March 21.

It followed Newfoundland and Labrador's announcement last week that it planned to remove all restrictions, including mask and vaccination mandates, by March 14. Prince Edward Island has announced similar plans.

Higgs said the end of the mandatory order on March 14 will also apply to public school students and staff, who will no longer be required to wear masks or practise physical distancing.

"However, students and staff who wish to continue wearing masks, just like anyone else, will of course be able to do so," Higgs said.