Dr. Yves Léger (GNB/Zoom)

New Brunswick is facing a triple threat of respiratory viruses this season – COVID-19, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and influenza – like many other jurisdictions across North America.

However, the acting chief medical officer of health told the media that a mask mandate is not on the table at this time.

During a briefing with reporters on a Zoom call Friday afternoon, Dr. Yves Léger said we are at a different time now where many people have some immunity thanks to infection and vaccines.

“I know that mandates are not necessarily easy to implement and that it has been difficult for those who need to enforce it, such as retailers – to actually do so,” noted Léger.

“Of course, if the public is not on board that’s going to be an issue as well. If large groups of the public aren’t going to follow the mandate that won’t be very effective either. And we’re also at a time where we know a lot of the transmission doesn’t necessarily always happen in public settings but in private settings such as private homes or others.”

Public Health had been quiet on the so-called triple threat until Friday which had led to many questions from the province’s two opposition parties.

Several other provinces including Nova Scotia held news conferences about respiratory viruses earlier in the week.