Since the mandatory mask order has come into effect, New Brunswickers have been over 90% compliant with the new protective health measure that mandates mask wearing in all indoor public places as well as in outdoor public places where gatherings are possible in orange level zones in the province. Premier Higgs confirmed in a press conference on Monday that New Brunswick as a whole has taken the health measure to heart, with a significant increase in the number of New Brunswickers wearing masks since the regulation was mandated, though compliance differs from region to region.

"We are seeing around 95% compliance on average across the province," said Premier Higgs. The Campbellton region in particular is less compliant with the mandatory mask order in relation to the rest of the province.

A recent outbreak of COVID-19 at Woodland Pulp, a mill in Baileyville, Maine that employees seven residents of the Charlotte County area, incited the Charlotte County area to double down on its own efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Aside from the mill workers, dozens of other Charlotte County residents work across the international border each day in a variety of different essential services, which caused added concern of exposure to COVID-19 for the bordertown area. St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern credits the cooperation of the community along daily conferences between the town of St. Stephen and Public Health as the reason the St. Stephen area has faired so well in spite of the outbreak just across the border. MacEachern insists hard work behind the scenes led to local measures such as the opening of a satellite COVID-19 testing site near the Charlotte County Hospital.

Restrictions on non-essential travel between Canada and the United States have been extended until at least November 21 and won't be lifted until the pandemic shows significant signs of improving in the US.

The annual Coats for Kids and Communities drive is underway in Charlotte County. "Our goal is to ensure no one in our community goes without a coat this winter, " says Steven Smith, co-organizer of Coats for Kids and Communities. The drive for coats for both kids and adults will continue until the last day of November. Drop off spots include NBCC Saint Andrews, St. Croix Auto St. Stephen, St. Stephen Giant Tiger and Uncle Mayne's in St. George.

Charlotte County Tim Horton's in St. Stephen, Saint Andrews and St. George have pooled the funds raised from selling Smile cookies from September 15th to 21st and have donated $8877.50 to operation Christmas Joy, a local charity that gives 100% of its profits to children in need in the Charlotte County community during the holidays. "This is a significant donation that will help many children have a Christmas experience in our community," says Don McGee, founder of Operation Christmas Joy.