News Highlights for Southwest New Brunswick: June 22, 2021

The first major step towards the re-opening of the Canada-US border and the return of international travel for Canadian citizens will take place at midnight on July 5. Fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents will be able to enter the country either by land or air without having to quarantine for 14 days. They also will no longer have to stay in quarantine hotels while they await negative COVID-19 test results. Testing on day 8 will also no longer be implemented. 

The change does not apply to Canadian travellers who are not fully-vaccinated, including children under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine. It also do not apply to fully vaccinated non-citizens, including property owners, who are looking to visit for non-essential reasons.  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insists that 75% of Canadians will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the government will be willing to consider lifting border restrictions. This week, the Canada-US border closure was extended until at least July 21.

Early this week, New Brunswick crossed the 20% mark of eligible residents now having had both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. To meet the province's third and final goal to initiate fully re-opening the province, 75% of eligible New Brunswickers will need ot be fully vaccinated with both doses. Everyone in the province who's had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is now eligible to book their second dose appointment provided 28 days have passed since their first dose. 

Starting June 25, Water Street in Saint Andrews will once again for the second year in a row be designated a one-way street from Edward to Frederick Street. The one-way adaptation for the summer season is once again part of the town's overall effort to take added COVID-19 safety precautions during the busy tourism season.  

The one-way section of downtown Water Street will be in effect until after Labour Day, ending on September 7th.

In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, Saint Andrews Deputy Mayor Kate Akagi was had the Ross Memorial Library to share and read stories from some of her favourite First Nations authors. 

The new Saint Andrews council is in preliminary discussions to consider renaming the section of that is currently and controversially designated Indian Point. The council plans to discuss the issue with representatives from the Passamaquoddy Nation before determining what first steps should be taken.