At a news conference in Fredericton, Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, and Premier Blaine Higgs provide an update on the provincial government’s plan to gradually lift public-health restrictions that are in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They announce that New Brunswick is moving to phase two of its reopening plan on June 17, two weeks ahead of the target date of July 1. The province has reached its goal of having 20 per cent of New Brunswickers 65 or older vaccinated with two doses of a COVID vaccine. The update comes just one day after New Brunswick entered phase one after reaching its vaccination goal of administering a first dose to 75 per cent of eligible people. Phase two includes reopening to the other Atlantic Canadian provinces, as well as to the rest of the country for people who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, without the need to self-isolate or test. The use of masks remains in place. Dr. Russell also announces that as on June 21, all eligible residents who have had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to get their second dose, as long as there are 28 days between appointments.
