N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Province drops proof of vaccination rule, some businesses might not

New Brunswick businesses and organizations are no longer required to enforce proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry.

The change in restrictions took effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday and includes restaurants, gyms, salons, spas, entertainment centres and faith venues.

But some businesses are keeping the proof-of-vaccination requirement, according to David Duplisea, CEO of the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber has launched an online poll to determine business reopening plans.

"There are mixed opinions and feelings on how businesses plan to reopen and return to more normal times," Duplisea said in a statement. "Some plan to continue with limited safety protocols and others plan to eliminate them all together.

"This poll will help us to better understand where the business community stands as they work to balance employee and customer safety with a viable business model."

The four-question poll asks businesses if they plan to continue with safety protocols, and if so, which ones — proof of vaccination, masks, safe distance, COVID testing, or all of the above.

It asks which sector or industry they belong to, such as hospitality, restaurants and tourism; retail; general business, or "other."

And it asks about their "staffing protocols," whether people work from home, in the office, or a hybrid.

The poll will continue until March 14.

New Brunswick introduced the proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirement in September 2021 during a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant.

With the end of the mandatory order, the province is set to lift all other COVID-19 restrictions by March 14, including mask mandates, gathering limits and isolation requirements.

The province recorded another COVID-related death on Friday, and 72 people were in hospital, including 42 for COVID-19 and 30 who were admitted for something else when they tested positive for the virus.

Three people were in intensive care, including two on ventilators.