SYDNEY, N.S. --
COVID-19 information kits that include posters advising of self-isolation or at-risk persons are being distributed to people in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
The kits are being offered as provincial health officials stop releasing the home communities of people who are self-isolating with COVID-19.
For new mom Kristin MacDonald and three-week-old Poppy, any information that will protect their health is welcome in their home.
"I think it's good," said MacDonald. "I mean, there are some compromised individuals. Myself, I have asthma and I've recently given birth and have a newborn. I fit into three categories on that poster."
The posters were initiated from the tri-government meeting between Eskasoni, Membertou, and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality after the province stopped sharing the geographic location of COVID-19 cases.
"It's a tricky balance, but I'm confident the public health authorities, on our behalf, are doing the tracing that needs to be done in order to determine who has been affected," said David Fraser, a privacy lawyer.
“As long as you’re only collecting the minimum amount of information that’s reasonably necessary for those purposes, you can go ahead and do that. Absolutely, a private property owner can limit access to their premises on any grounds, as long as they’re not discriminatory.”
CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke says it's a proactive approach to give residents information on preparedness, hygiene, and other related recommendations of the provincial and federal governments.
"This is an opportunity for people who wish to have further protection and to advise neighbours, or anyone coming to their door, that they won't be answering their door because they're self-isolating or high-risk," said Clarke.
He notes it’s not mandatory for residents to post the notices on their homes.
