Nova Scotians will hear from the top doctor on Friday as new COVID-19 restrictions come into effect to help fight the surge in new cases.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang and Premier Tim Houston will hold an update at 2 p.m. as the province toughens its stance on COVID.
The return to restrictions includes stiffer rules around social distancing, masking, and lower indoor gathering limits.
Stores, malls, restaurants, and bars won’t be bustling with people over the holidays as they’ll have to enforce physical distancing.
Informal gatherings will be capped at 20 people. Formal gatherings will have a max of 150 inside and 250 outside.
Meantime, the holiday break for public schools will start when classes wrap up on Friday.
The province announced earlier this week the break would begin several days early due to the impact of COVID cases on staffing levels and students’ attendance.
This comes as our province recorded its highest daily case count since the start of the pandemic on Thursday.
Public Health reported 287 new cases.
The new restrictions came into effect at 9 a.m. and are expected to continue until at least the new year.
See the full list below:
Physical distance and mask requirements
- physical distance of six feet is required indoors and outdoors, except among people in the same household or a consistent social group of up to 20 people
- places like fitness and recreation facilities, retail businesses, malls, museums, libraries and personal services like hair salons can operate at the maximum capacity possible with physical distancing
- food establishments and liquor-licensed establishments must have physical distance between tables and a limit of 20 people per table
- people must be seated to remove their mask for eating or drinking; all other mask requirements for indoor public places remain, including wearing them when seated for other activities
- spectators at sports games or arts and culture performances cannot eat or drink in the main seating area of the recreation facility or event venue; people must go to a designated area for eating and drinking
- masks are required in areas of workplaces where physical distance cannot be achieved, as well as common areas, areas where people are serving the public and areas with poor ventilation
- masks are required indoors at public schools where physical distancing cannot be maintained; masks are not required outdoors
- individuals, businesses and organizations all have responsibility for ensuring mask requirements are followed and can all be subject to enforcement action
Gathering limits
- indoor and outdoor informal gatherings, typically at home, are limited to 20 people from the same household or consistent social group; physical distance and proof of full vaccination are not required; masks are not required except in indoor public places
- gathering limits of 50 per cent of capacity to a maximum of 150 people indoors and 250 outdoors apply to social gatherings, regular faith services, weddings, funerals and their associated receptions and visitation, special events, meetings, training, festivals, and audiences for sports events and arts and culture events (like performances and movie theatres) that are hosted by a recognized business or organization, including faith organizations
- a limit of 60 participants indoors and outdoors applies to sports practices, games, and regular league play; tournaments are not allowed; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors
- a limit of 60 participants indoors and outdoors applies to professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and performances; competitions are not allowed; professionals must have a plan for their workplace; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors
- children age 11 and younger continue to be restricted from entering Nova Scotia to participate in sports and arts and culture events and from participating in them outside Nova Scotia
- specific organizational plans will be considered for large venues such as Scotiabank Centre, Halifax Exhibition Centre and Halifax Convention Centre
- spectators at sports games or arts and culture performances cannot eat or drink in the main seating area of the recreation facility or event venue; people must go to a designated area for eating and drinking.
Long-term care
- except for medical appointments, residents in long-term care can only leave the facility if they are fully vaccinated, and it is strongly recommended that they have their booster dose as well
- residents in Disability Support Program homes licensed under the Homes for Special Care Act have the same restrictions as residents in long-term care.
- a limit of two visitors at a time with long-term care residents; it does not have to be the same two visitors each time
- it is strongly recommended that visitors have a rapid test within 24 hours of the visit
- visitors can have quick close contact like a hug but then need to stay physically distanced for the rest of the visit
- the requirement for visitors to wear masks and be fully vaccinated, except for end-of-life visits, remains
- except for medical appointments, residents in long-term care can only leave the facility if they are fully vaccinated, and it is strongly recommended that they have their booster dose as well.
