The long-awaited Atlantic Canada travel bubble will take effect on July 3, according to the premiers of the four provinces.
The Council of Atlantic Premiers announced Wednesday that interprovincial travel will be allowed without the need to self-isolate for 14 days.
“Each province will choose their own processes to track and monitor travelers,” said the council in a news release.
Visitors from other Canadian provinces and territories must adhere to the local entry requirements in place in each of the four jurisdictions. Other Canadian visitors to the Maritime provinces who have self-isolated for 14 days may travel within the Maritime region.
Effective July 3, Nova Scotia will form an #AtlanticBubble with New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, allowing Atlantic Canadians to travel within the region without having to self-isolate: https://t.co/GOqCwjV9hl #COVID19NS pic.twitter.com/lbmHZ3BZuR
— Stephen McNeil (@StephenMcNeil) June 24, 2020
The premiers said the decision to ease travel restrictions was guided by the chief medical officers of health in each province and will continue to be closely monitored.
All public health directives present in each province must be followed, including not traveling if you have any COVID-19 symptoms and practicing physical distancing and good hand hygiene.
Premier Blaine Higgs says peace officers will continue to monitor traffic at New Brunswick’s borders and travellers will need to provide proof of residence.
“We will be collecting traveller’s information so we can conduct contact tracing in the event of an outbreak,” he says.
Higgs anticipates the travel bubble will lead to an increase in traffic but he adds peace officers will be ready.
“We have the staff we need to address this increased volume. We will continue to ensure officers are in place to conduct screening while also taking steps to improve traffic flow and move transport trucks through the screening process faster than personal vehicles.”
Meantime, Higgs has also announced an extension of the provincial state of emergency for another two week period.
