FREDERICTON (GNB) – To protect the health and safety of customers and employees, and to allow more people inside, the wearing of face masks will become mandatory in all Service New Brunswick centres starting on Oct. 1.

While fewer people are in lineups at the centres than at the same time last year, physical distancing rules have meant more people are waiting outside. With colder weather coming, the corporation considered options to allow more people to wait inside. Public Health guidelines allow physical distancing to be reduced to one metre when everyone is wearing a mask. This change allows the centres to adjust spacing between seats to allow more people to wait inside.

Wait times can still be impacted by the complexity of the services requested. Customers are reminded that the best way to avoid a lineup is to go online or to call teleservices at 1-888-762-8600. Almost all services can be conducted online or over the telephone, including those most requested such as vehicle registration renewals and driver’s licence renewals.

For individuals who must visit a centre, it is recommended they try to avoid the busiest times which are Mondays and Fridays, and the Tuesdays after a long weekend.

The corporation is continuing to increase its online services. It is on track to become the first provincial provider to offer the written beginner driver’s test online later this fall. A webpage will be launched in the coming weeks to make accessing services online easier and faster.

22 September 2020