N.L. holding COVID-19 briefing at 1 p.m. NT with restrictions set to lift next week

In less than a week Newfoundland and Labrador plans to begin its transition away from the pandemic era by lifting all remaining public health mandates.

The changes are scheduled to take effect Monday, when residents can say goodbye to masks, vaccine passports and travel protocols. Students will continue to wear masks in schools until at least the Easter break. 

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald and Health Minister John Haggie will hold a briefing at 1 p.m. to deliver the latest COVID-19 update. It's possibly the last briefing before restrictions are lifted. 

As of Monday there were 3,216 known active cases in the province, with 25 people in hospital. 

Health and government officials have stressed that personal protective measures, such as masking, will still be strongly encouraged after mandates are lifted. Self-isolation and testing may still be required in the event of an infection or for someone who is a close contact of person with COVID-19, based on living arrangement or vaccination status. 

The provincial government also says it expects more cases and hospitalizations as the province reopens.

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