The following is being distributed at the request of the Council of Atlantic Premiers.
Protecting the health of Atlantic Canadians remains the overriding priority of Atlantic Premiers.
Premier Blaine Higgs of New Brunswick chaired a teleconference of the Council of Atlantic Premiers with Premier Iain Rankin of Nova Scotia, Premier Dennis King of Prince Edward Island and Premier Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador. They reviewed the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region and considered how to move forward on reducing travel restrictions within the Atlantic region.
Given the recent surge in cases of COVID-19 in parts of Atlantic Canada and the emergence of more transmissible forms of the virus, the Council of Atlantic Premiers has agreed to delay the reopening of the Atlantic Bubble by at least two weeks, to May 3rd, 2021.
The decision is based upon expert advice from the region’s Chief Medical Officers of Health.
Premiers will meet during the last week of April to review the status of outbreaks and determine if a further delay to May 10th, 2021 is required.
This delay will support a continued focus on addressing local outbreaks and the roll-out of vaccination programs across the region.
Premiers urge all Atlantic Canadians to adhere to public health measures designed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
When the Atlantic Bubble reopens, residents of the Atlantic provinces will be able to travel within the region without the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days.
All public health directives in each province must continue to be followed, including wearing a mask in public spaces, not traveling if experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 and practicing physical distancing.
Premiers noted that the relaxation of travel restrictions will be closely monitored and may change at any time, based on public health advice regarding conditions within the region.
Premiers remain committed to working together to limit the spread of COVID-19, protect the health and safety of all Atlantic Canadians and strengthening the region’s economy while returning to community activities.
For more information about the COVID-19 response and specific public health requirements for each of the Atlantic Provinces, please consult the following links below:
- New Brunswick: http://www.gnb.ca/coronavirus
- Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/
- Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
- Prince Edward Island: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/covid-19
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe, Office of the Premier, Newfoundland and Labrador, 709-729-3960
Nicolle Carlin, Office of the Premier, New Brunswick, 506-453-7494
Adam Ross, Office of the Premier, Prince Edward Island, 902-368-4400
Matt Hefler, Office of the Premier, Nova Scotia, 902-220-6048