N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Province to provide update today after Higgs hinted at eased restrictions

New Brunswick will provide an update this afternoon on "the COVID-19 situation in the province," according to a media advisory.

Earlier this week, Premier Blaine Higgs told CBC News he hoped to make an announcement before the end of the week about loosening COVID restrictions, following meetings with Public Health officials.

"Our path to reopening will be better defined, and I hope to be able to communicate that," he said.

Higgs also said he hoped the announcement would "take the steam out of" any planned protests of COVID mandates, including a so-called Freedom Convoy being organized at the provincial legislature this weekend.

Higgs and Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, will participate in the 2:30 p.m. news conference.

It will be livestreamed here on CBC New Brunswick's website and in French on the government's YouTube channel.

New Brunswick has been at Level 2 of the COVID-19 winter plan, the middle level, since Jan. 28 at 11:59 p.m. It spent the previous two weeks at the most restrictive Level 3 at the request of the regional health authorities, to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed by soaring Omicron cases.

Among the changes under the least restrictive Level 1, social bubbles increase to 20 from 10, businesses, including retail, spas and salons, entertainment centres, gyms and restaurant dining rooms could return to full capacity from 50 per cent, and physical distancing would no longer be required at gyms or entertainment centres.

Proof of vaccination would still be required. Masks would also still be mandatory in all indoor public places, as well as outdoor public places when physical distancing can't be maintained.

A number of provinces, including Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Alberta have already announced plans to ease or eliminate restrictions.

The Campbellton Tigers team has eight positive cases of COVID-19, including players and staff, the Maritime Junior Hockey League announced Wednesday.

As a result, three games have been postponed, including Wednesday's game against the Fredericton Red Wings in Campellton.

The affected players and staff are isolating, as required, according to a news release. No other details are being released for privacy reasons, the league said.

"The team continues to work with Public Health while following the MHL's Return to Play plan, and are continuing testing," the release said.