LOCKDOWN CHRISTMAS: Atlantic bubble will not open over holidays

Newfoundland and Labrador's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, has said that non-essential travel will still be illegal over Christmas and the holidays.

Many families have been waiting for the news for non-essential travel to open up in vain, as non-essential travelers will not be allowed into the Atlantic bubble still.

People such as students who study outside of the Atlantic region will still be allowed in under the current rules, but will have to self-isolate for 14 days upon entry, as per the same draconian rules. This means they will have to be away from their own families during that 14 day isolation period, requiring them to be back by December 10th if they want to be able to celebrate Christmas with family members.

According to the CBC, Fitzgerald said:

"It would be the wrong decision right now for us to open up non-essential travel as of jurisdictions tighten their restrictions in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19."

"We know that many families have been separated for seven months now, and we have seen the toll that the separation is having on the mental health of many of our residents. We encourage anyone that needs support to reach out for help."

Newfoundland and Labrador currently have a very low presence of the novel coronavirus. There have been a total number of 298 cases since the pandemic began, with only seven active cases and four deaths. There have been 287 recoveries, and out of the active cases, none have required hospitalization.