Ted Flemming PC MLA for Rothesay

Join the conversation! You are invited to participate in public consultations on the review of the Official Languages Act and improving second language learning... in New Brunswick. Visit www.BilingualNB.ca for more information on the process and to complete a questionnaire. Written comments can also be sent by email to [email protected]; or by mail to: NB Bilingual, P.O. Box 5658, Caraquet, NB E1W 1B7. The deadline to participate is August 31. Your opinion matters! https://www2.gnb.ca//en/news/news_release.2021.05.0343.html

The hours of care in New Brunswick nursing homes will increase to 3.2 hours per resident in October 2021 and to 3.3 hours per resident in April 2022. Staff in n...ursing homes, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and resident assistants, will have more time to assist in the care of the residents. This is an important step to ensure high-quality care and service for our seniors. https://www2.gnb.ca//en/news/news_release.2021.04.0324.html See more

New Brunswickers have played a tremendous role in keeping our COVID-19 numbers among the lowest in the country. Now that the vaccine has arrived, every New Brun...swicker will have the opportunity to receive at least one dose by the end of Junebut we still need your help. Wait for your group's turn before trying to book an appointment for vaccination. When your group becomes eligible for the vaccine, you will not be vaccinated immediately. It is likely you may have to wait for an appointment to become available. We will post regular updates about which groups are eligible to receive the vaccine and how to book an appointment. Thank you for your patience as we work to offer the vaccine to every New Brunswicker. We can get there together if everyone does their part. http://www.gnb.ca/COVID19vaccine

#70anniversary #rothesay #quispamsis #ourcommunityourcommitment

APPLICATIONS FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS' BENEFIT FREDERICTON (GNB) Applications for the 2021 Low-Income Seniors' Benefit are now available. As a result of COVID-19, and to support physical distancing measures, eligible New Brunswickers are strongly encouraged to apply online or print the application, complete it and mail it to Finance and Treasury Board, Revenue Administration Division, PO Box 1900, Fredericton, N.B., E3B 5G4.... The application deadline is Dec. 31. To be eligible for the $400 benefit, a person must have been a resident of New Brunswick on Dec. 31, 2020, and have received one of the following federal benefits under the Old Age Security Act: Guaranteed Income Supplement (65 or older); Allowance for Survivor Program (between 60 and 64); or Allowance Program (between 60 and 64). More information about the program and on how to apply is available from the Department of Finance and Treasury Board, Revenue Administration Division, at 1-800-669-7070, or online.

Happy Easter/ Joyeuses Paques

You can get a 20% rebate from your winter vacation in New Brunswick with the Explore NB Travel Incentive Program. Conditions apply: https://www2.gnb.ca//tourism/content/incentive-program.html

The provincial government announced that, beginning today, people 80 and older, other regulated health professionals who have close contact with patients, and p...eople with complex medical conditions are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those 80 and older, or a caregiver or family member acting on their behalf, can now make an appointment with a pharmacy. Regulated health professionals, including dentists, physiotherapists and optometrists, will be notified by their professional associations when they are eligible to book an appointment. https://www2.gnb.ca//vacci/complex-medical-conditions.html People with complex medical conditions are asked to review the list of select conditions included online prior to making an appointment and to print a copy of the declaration form. Those who meet the requirements may book an appointment online for a vaccination clinic organized by one of the regional health authorities. The provincial government also announced today that all residents of long-term care facilities have had the opportunity to receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, on Friday, March 19, the first dose of the vaccine will be available to all residents of First Nations communities aged 16 and over. We are making excellent progress on our vaccination plan and have made great strides towards protecting our most vulnerable residents, said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. We are now able to begin providing the vaccine to more groups. However, if you are not in one of the eligible groups, please do not try to make an appointment at this time. Rotational workers As of Friday, March 26, at 11:59 p.m., rotational workers will no longer be required to self-isolate if they have received their first dose of vaccine and 14 days have passed. At this time, they will be required to undergo day five and day 10 COVID-19 testing upon their return to New Brunswick. If a rotational worker does not get vaccinated, they will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days, as will anyone else living in the same household, with mandatory day 10 testing. Every traveller who enters New Brunswick comes with a level of risk, Shephard said. Testing rotational workers will provide us with an extra layer of security and will allow us to track the virus. Travel bubble The Atlantic travel bubble within New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador will reopen by April 19. This means New Brunswickers will be permitted to travel to those provinces without being required to self-isolate upon their return. This is conditional upon cases of COVID-19 remaining low. At the same time, New Brunswick will also bubble with Témiscouata, Avignon and Listiguj First Nation in Quebec. Residents planning to travel from these communities into New Brunswick must not have travelled outside those regions within the last 14 days or must have received the first dose of the vaccine at least 14 days prior. While we all welcome the return of a travel bubble, it is important to remember that cases of COVID-19 continue to rise across Canada, said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. Coupled with the increase in cases of the variants we are seeing, that is cause for concern. If you are travelling, even within the bubble, please ensure you follow all Public Health directives so we can continue to limit the spread of the virus. Seven new cases Public Health reported seven new cases of COVID-19 today. The one case in Zone 1 (Moncton region) is as follows: an individual 20-29. The case is linked to a previous case and the individual is self-isolating. The one case in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) is as follows: an individual 30-39. This case is travel-related, and the individual is self-isolating. The five cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows: two people 20-29; an individual 50-59; an individual 60-69; and; an individual 70-79. These cases are linked to previous cases and all are self-isolating. The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 1,484. Since yesterday, one person has recovered for a total of 1,405 recoveries There have been 30 deaths, and the number of active cases is 48. One patient is hospitalized. Yesterday, 810 tests were conducted for a total 243,016. Details on cases and testing can be found on the GNB website. Mobile and most browsers: bit.ly/2BmLpeD IE users: bit.ly/2VsD1RV Exposure notifications Public Health follows a standard process when addressing instances where the public may have been exposed to a case of COVID-19. In cases where record-keeping is able to identify anyone who may have been exposed, officials contact these individuals directly and do not issue a separate announcement. In cases where officials cannot be certain of exactly who may have been exposed to the virus in a given location, Public Health issues an announcement to alert those who could have been affected and provides instructions. Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the virus at the following locations in Edmundston: McDonald’s Restaurant, 190 Hébert Blvd., on March 13 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. Grey Rock Casino & Valley View Restaurant, 100 Chief Joanna Blvd., on March 14 Public Health has also identified a positive case in a traveller who may have been infectious on March 7 while on the following flights: Air Canada Flight 414 from Toronto to Montreal, departed at 2:18 p.m. Air Canada Flight 8906 from Montreal to Moncton, departed at 7 p.m. People who travelled on these flights should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the flight. Should any COVID-19 symptoms develop, they are directed to self-isolate and take the self-assessment online or to call 811 to get tested. Reminder of Yellow level All zones are in the Yellow level under the province’s mandatory order.

If you have been laid-off or are unable to work because you are self-isolating or caring for a loved one, help is available. Fill out this online questionnaire ...to find out what supports may be available to you. https://covid-benefits.alpha.canada.ca/en/start. WorkingNB employment counselors are also available in 19 locations across the province to assist with finding work, career planning or upgrading your skills. Visit www.workingnb.ca. See more

The Department of Health has released a discussion paper outlining the province’s current health-care challenges. New Brunswickers are encouraged to share their... feedback on the questions posed in Striving for Dependable Public Health Care by emailing [email protected] For more information, visit: https://www2.gnb.ca//en/news/news_release.2021.01.0057.html

Are you looking to purchase or invest in a property? The Property Services Branch at the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure sells surplus land and ...buildings through open sales and public tenders. Don’t miss out! Learn more at: https://www2.gnb.ca/cont//en/departments/dti/surplus.html See more

Effective at midnight tonight, the entire province will move to the Orange level under its COVID-19 recovery plan. Public Health recommended the move due to the... doubling of cases in less than six days, escalating case counts, as well as reports of situations where some individuals were not complying with public health measures. In spite of aggressive messaging prior to and during the holiday season, we knew that some would selfishly ignore the rules, said Premier Blaine Higgs. There is a risk that our health-care system could be faced with hundreds of new cases each day and would quickly be overwhelmed. We must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that does not happen. We have been successful throughout the pandemic because we have been aggressive when needed, said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. Despite our efforts to inform New Brunswickers about following public health guidance measures during the holidays, we have seen case numbers doubling in some areas and have learned of examples where people did not follow the self-isolation guidelines. There is a risk of our health-care system being overwhelmed quickly which is why this type of action is required. Orange level In the Orange level, subject to the Public Health and WorkSafeNB COVID-19 general guidance, a series of rules and restrictions apply and are available online. Included among the requirements are the following: Single household bubble: A one household bubble includes the people you live with. The bubble can be extended to caregivers, an immediate family member who needs the support from someone in the household (a parent who relies on their adult child for example) and one other person who needs support. It is only this same single household permitted to go to restaurants and other venues together. Only essential travel is recommended within the province, however, people can continue to travel for work, school, essential errands and medical appointments. Masks are mandatory in indoor public places. Masks are required in outdoor public spaces when physical distancing of two metres cannot be maintained. Twenty-seven new cases Public Health reported 27 new cases of COVID-19 today. The nine cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows: an individual 19 and under; six people 20-29; an individual 30-39; and an individual 50-59. The three cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows: an individual 19 and under; an individual 40-49; and an individual 90 and over. The 11 cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) are as follows: two people 19 and under; an individual 20-29; two people 30-39; two people 40-49; three people 50-59; and an individual 60-69. The two cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows: an individual 20-29; and an individual 50-59. The two cases in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) are as follows: two people 50-59. All cases are self-isolating and under investigation. The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 662 and 572 have recovered. There have been nine deaths, and the number of active cases is 80. One patient is hospitalized and is in an intensive care unit. As of today, 155,253 tests have been conducted. Details on cases and testing can be found on the GNB website. Mobile and most browsers: bit.ly/2BmLpeD IE users: bit.ly/2VsD1RV Self-isolation Self-isolation means staying at home and avoiding all contact with other people to help prevent the spread of disease to others in your home and community. It is imperative that if you have travelled you must self-isolate for a full 14 days and avoid contact with other people to help prevent transmission of the virus prior to developing symptoms or at the earliest stage of illness, said Russell. Information on self-isolation is available online. Exposure notification Public Health follows a standard process when addressing instances where the public may have been exposed to a case of COVID-19. In cases where record-keeping is able to identify anyone who may have been exposed, officials contact these individuals directly and do not issue a separate announcement. In cases where officials cannot be certain of exactly who may have been exposed to the virus in a given location, Public Health issues an announcement to alert those who could have been affected and provides instructions. Public Health has identified potential public exposure to the virus at the following locations: Miss Cue pool hall from Dec. 31 at 11 p.m. to Jan. 1 at 1:30 a.m. (495 Mountain Rd., Moncton in Zone 1). Walmart on Dec. 30 between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and on Dec. 31 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. (4 Jagoe St., Atholville in Zone 5). If you were at any of these locations, and you have no symptoms of COVID-19, self-monitor and follow all Public Health guidelines. If you are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 and do not need to talk to a nurse, complete the self-assessment and get tested. Relief for small businesses Higgs announced additional relief for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 in the form of a non-repayable grant. It is crucial that we continue to support businesses that face difficulties, especially when they are impacted by elevated and/or restrictive, but necessary, Public Health measures in either Orange or Red alert levels, he said. Through Opportunities New Brunswick, these grants of up to $5,000 will be available for small businesses that have been subject to Orange or Red alert level measures for at least one week between Oct. 10, 2020, and March 31, 2021. This new support program is in addition to the enhancements being made to the Small Business Emergency Working Capital Program that resulted in more than $17 million being distributed to businesses throughout the province. Further details, such as eligibility requirements and how and where to apply, will be available in the coming weeks.

There should be no stigma when it comes to seeking help. Not for you, your family and friends who may need it. We all struggle and that’s OK. Reach out. Help is available. #Bellletstalk

Anyone can get COVID-19. The virus doesn’t discriminate. You can take steps to keep yourself and your community safe. Wear a face mask Maintain at least 2...m physical distance from others Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds Keep your circle small by limiting your contacts If you have symptoms, take the online assessment and get tested www.gnb.ca/coronavirus

New rules for off-road vehicles take effect January 1. https://www2.gnb.ca//en/news/news_release.2020.12.0699.html

Pauline Gauvin of Miramichi became the first New Brunswicker to receive the COVID-19 vaccination in the province today. The 84-year-old resident of Shannex Losi...er Hall received the vaccine at a clinic held at the Miramichi Regional Hospital. During the clinic, scheduled to take place today and Sunday, 1,950 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be administered to individuals from priority groups identified in the provincial government’s vaccination plan. Today marks a significant step forward for our province, but it is only the first step, said Premier Blaine Higgs. We have every reason to feel hopeful, but the vaccine roll-out is just beginning and the pandemic is not over. We have been so successful to date, so I strongly encourage New Brunswickers to continue to be patient and follow the advice of Public Health. Registered nurse Nicolette Noel of Miramichi is the first New Brunswick nurse to receive the vaccine. Dr. Carl Boucher of Caraquet, a family physician and emergency room physician at Caraquet’s l’Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus RHSJ, is the first New Brunswick physician to receive the vaccine. Joël LeFort, of Moncton, is the first paramedic and Mandy Whalen, of Dieppe, is the first Extra-Mural program registered nurse to get the vaccine in the province. This milestone event officially launches our vaccine implementation plan to keep New Brunswickers safe, said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. As we vaccinate priority group members over the coming weeks, I am encouraging everyone to be patient and please continue to follow the public health measures such keeping your contacts low, wear a mask when required, practise physical distancing and wash your hands frequently to keep everyone safe and healthy, especially during the holiday season. Five new cases of COVID-19 Public Health is reporting five new case of COVID-19 today. The cases are as follows: an individual 70 to 79 in Zone 1 (Moncton region); an individual 30 to 39 in Zone 2 (Saint John region); an individual 60 to 69 in Zone 2 (Saint John region); an individual 40 to 49 in Zone 4 (Edmundston region); and, an individual 20 to 29 in Zone 6 (Bathurst region). All cases are self-isolating and under investigation. The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 578 and 520 have recovered. There have been eight deaths. The number of active cases is 49. Three patients are hospitalized of which one is in intensive care. As of today, 145,419 tests have been conducted. Zone 4 remains Orange Zone 4 (Edmundston region) remains at the Orange level under the province’s COVID-19 recovery plan. Orange level rules are available online. Residents are reminded that among the rules at the Orange level are to stick to a one household bubble, maintain two metres of distancing and wear a mask while in indoor and outdoor public spaces. All other zones in New Brunswick remain at the Yellow level. During this time, Public Health measures and guidelines must still be followed. To find out the boundaries of each health zone, see the map available at: COVID-19 Dashboard (mobile and most browsers) bit.ly/2BmLpeD COVID-19 Dashboard (for Internet Explorer users)bit.ly/2VsD1RV