The entire province is moving into Alert Level 3 as of midnight tonight.
The measure was taken to curb rising COVID cases and concerns that the highly infectious Omicron variant could spread at even faster rates through the Christmas period.
The move to Alert Level 3 will be reassessed on January 10.
Sixty new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported since yesterday with outbreaks in Eastern, Central and Western leaving 223 active cases.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says the decision to implement new public health measures was difficult to make but were necessary to keep COVID in check.
As of this morning, 86 of the 223 active cases have been confirmed or presumed as Omicron.
Fitzgerald says the province is continuing to monitor the spread and severity of illness associated with Omicron outbreaks in other jurisdictions, leading to greater restrictions to prevent further spread and take pressure off the health care system.
Alert Level 3 means all bars and lounges are now closed and gatherings must been limited to 20 of your steady, consistent contacts.
Fitzgerald is asking people to consider very carefully travelling to other areas of the province to gather with people who are not part of your regular circle of contacts.