After almost a year and a half of seeing red, orange, and yellow, New Brunswick is finally moving into greener pastures. Phase one of the province's Path to Green re-opening plan is in effect as of June 16. At a press conference on Tuesday, Chief Medical Officer of New Brunswick Dr. Russell was proud to announce that New Brunswick finally met its goal of having at least 75% of the province's eligible population vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

"We got 'er done," said Dr. Russell with a laugh. 

Among some of phase 1's loosened restrictions: New Brunswickers no longer have to stick to a "steady 15" list of contacts. People from Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Cumberland County, and provincial border communities in Nova Scotia and Quebec will be able to visit without having to isolate or get tested. Cross-border commuters and truckers also will no longer have to isolate or get tested regularly. In order to enter phase 2 of the province's path to re-opening on goal, 20% of New Brunswickers aged 65 and older need to be double vaccinated. Premier Higgs is confident we are ahead of schedule to meet that goal and could see Phase 2 go into effect as earlier as this week.

Under Phase 2, all Canadian travellers who have had at least one dose of a vaccine can come into New Brunswick without needing to isolate. Those who have not been vaccinated will also be allowed in but will need to follow isolation rules and testing requirements. Since New Brunswick is on track to enter Phase 2 ahead of schedule, Premier Higgs was asked if he believes we are also on track to enter the final phase, Phase 3, ahead of the August 2nd schedule, which would require at least 75% of eligible New Brunswickers to be double-vaccinated. He said it is entirely possible.

Any New Brunswickers who received their first dose of a vaccine prior to May 1 can now book an appointment for their second dose. On June 21, all eligible New Brunswickers can book a second dose appointment as long as at least 28 days have passed since their first dose.

The town of Saint Andrews has a new park at the end of Elizabeth Street, aptly named Elizabeth Park. Many locals and tourists alike have already taken advantage of the green space with an ocean view. Elizabeth Park might just be the first of many green spaces to come according to Mayor Brad Henderson.

St. Stephen Town Council held their swearing-in ceremony last Thursday in Chocolate Park. 

"I look forward to working with the staff of St. Stephen for another four years," said re-elected Mayor Allan MacEachern. As CHCO expands coverage of town council meetings across Southwest New Brunswick, viewers can now watch full town council coverage on CHCO for St. George, St. Andrews, Grand Manan and Blacks Harbour with St. Stephen soon to follow. Check the TV guide for more information.

Finally, if you've noticed pops of colour on painted rocks scattered around the Town of Saint Andrews, you have the seniors club the Spindrifters to thank for the joyful accents in the community. While many of the painted stones have already been picked up as souvenirs, the Spindrifters are considering making more as an innovative way to connect with the community safely during COVID-19, a trend that could also continue long after the pandemic is over.