As the province moves towards reopening its borders to the other Atlantic Provinces, public concern is growing about how that will impact Newfoundland and Labrador’s one-month track record of zero reported cases of the novel coronavirus.

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says there have only been two active cases in all of Atlantic Canada within the last week, one in Nova Scotia and the other in New Brunswick – both of which were travel related.

She says it’s the trust in science that got us to this point, and that trust should continue as the gradual reopening of the province begins.

Fitzgerald says the prevalence of COVID-19 has dropped significantly within the Atlantic Provinces since the restrictions were put in place.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s rate of infection is 50 cases per 100,000 people while Nova Scotia’s is 109 per 100,000.

Both Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick have lower rates at 17 and 21 cases per 100,000 people.

Fitzgerald adds it’s not realistic to keep borders closed until a vaccine is developed.