FREDERICTON — New Brunswick plans to remove all travel and public health restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic effective just before midnight next Friday.

Premier Blaine Higgs says the low number of cases in the province and the increasing level of vaccinations will allow the province to enter its green stage for the first time since the pandemic began.

Officials say there will be no more limits on gatherings or the number of people allowed in theatres, restaurants and stores, and masks will not be required in public.

As of today, 62.7 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated while 81.2 per cent have received their first dose of COVID-18 vaccine.

Health officials are reporting three new cases of COVID-19 in the province today, with two in the Saint John region and one in the Fredericton area.  

There are now 10 active cases in the province and no one is hospitalized.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2021. 

The Canadian Press