Border Reopening Does Increase Risk of COVID Case Increase

And while the projections are promising, COVID-19 cases could increase as a result of the land borders reopening. It is a risk that comes with people gathering and moving by the masses. But again, Manzanero explained that erring on the side of caution will mitigate those risks.

Russell Manzanero

Russell Manzanero, Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health & Wellness

“It is expected. I mean with the reopening, if everybody is crowded together there is movement. When we talked about the Omicron in December we knew that it was the holidays. We knew families were meeting, people were coming in, and we knew that it was only a matter of time for Omicron to come in. Similarly now, you are talking about movement of people again. But, that is very dependent on the individuals who are moving. Fully vaccinated, and these measures are in place, fully vaccinated, the need to adhere to those public health measures and the social distancing. So again, if there is movement you will have an increase of numbers. Where there are people and movement and people coming together, that can happen. So, the risk is there.”