Nova Scotia imposing tighter COVID-19 restrictions ahead of holidays
Nova Scotia is imposing tighter COVID-19 restrictions ahead of the upcoming holiday season in order to prevent further spread of the virus.
“We need further restrictions to ensure everyone slows down, reins in their socializing, and limits opportunities for the virus to spread. It may mean a smaller Christmas dinner than you’d planned, but it’s better to be small and safe," said Premier Tim Houston, during a live COVID-19 news conference on Tuesday.
The following restrictions come into effect at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22 and will remain in place until at least Jan. 12:
PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND MASKING REQUIREMENTS
- Physical distance of two metres (six feet) is required indoors and outdoors, except among people in the same household or a consistent social group of up to 10 people.
- 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.
- People must be seated to remove their mask for eating or drinking; at movie theatres, they must go to a designated area for eating and drinking.
- All other mask requirements for indoor public places remain, including wearing them when seated for other activities.
- 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 10 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.
- Only virtual events are allowed – there are no in-person events such as festivals, special events (including receptions), sports games or tournaments, or arts and culture performances.
- A limit of 10 participants indoors and 25 outdoors applies to sports practices and training; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors; spectators are not allowed.
- A limit of 10 participants indoors and 25 outdoors applies to professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and virtual performances; professionals must have a plan for their workplace; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors; spectators and competitions are not allowed.
- Nova Scotia children ages 11 and younger continue to be restricted from participating in sports and arts and culture events outside the province.
- Gathering limits of 25 per cent of capacity to a maximum of 50 people indoors and outdoors apply to social gatherings, regular faith services, wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and their associated visitation, movie theatres, meetings and training that are hosted by a recognized business or organization, including faith organizations.
- Regular in-person faith services can only have one person singing; no choirs or congregational singing are allowed.
- Drive-in regular faith services are allowed with no limit on the number of vehicles; the informal gathering limit applies inside each vehicle.
- Indoor and outdoor informal wedding ceremonies and faith gatherings, typically at home, are limited to 10 people from the same household or consistent social group, plus one officiant; physical distance and proof of full vaccination are not required; masks are not required except in indoor public places.
- Indoor and outdoor funeral ceremonies with a maximum of 10 people, plus officiant and funeral home staff, are allowed without proof of full vaccination but masks and physical distance are required; proof of full vaccination is still required for any visitation.
- Day camps can operate with groups of 15 campers, staff and volunteers following day camp guidelines.
RESTRICTIONS FOR BUSINESSES
- Places like retail businesses, malls, museums, libraries and recreation and leisure businesses and organizations can operate at 50 per cent capacity with physical distance; some examples under recreation and leisure include dance and music lessons, climbing facilities, escape rooms, indoor play places, arcades, golf, shooting ranges and dog training.
- Fitness and recreation facilities can operate at 50 per cent capacity with physical distance; personal training is allowed with as much physical distance as possible.
- Personal services like hair salons can operate at the maximum capacity possible with physical distancing but cannot offer services that require removing masks.
- Food establishments and liquor-licensed establishments can operate at 50 per cent capacity, they must have physical distance between tables; barriers may only be used to achieve 50 per cent capacity but not exceed it; there is a limit of 10 people per table; they must stop dine-in service at 11 p.m. and close by midnight; takeout, drive-thru and delivery can operate later; only one performer is allowed.
- Casino Nova Scotia and First Nations gaming centres can operate at 50 per cent capacity; people playing VLTs must be at least two metres (6 feet) apart; these gaming establishments must stop dine-in service at 11 p.m. and close by midnight.
- Activities like cards, darts, pool, bowling and karaoke follow the rules for the setting where they take place, either in licensed establishments or recreation and leisure businesses.
- Bingo follows the rules for licensed establishments when in that setting; bingo in non-licensed establishments is a special event which is not allowed.
LONG-TERM CARE RESTRICTIONS
- A limit of two visitors at a time with long-term care residents; it must be the same two visitors all the time.
- It is strongly recommended that visitors have a rapid test within 24 hours of the visit if possible
- 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.
- Even if they are fully vaccinated, residents can only leave the facility for medical appointments or for a drive in a facility or visitor’s vehicle with no stops and no contact with other people outside the facility.
- Only residents who are eligible and have had a booster dose can access service providers for recreational activities and personal services like hairstyling.
- Residents can attend regular faith services in the facility; the room can have 25 per cent capacity to a maximum of 10 people; only one singer; no choirs or congregational singing are allowed
- If possible, residents should be in consistent groups for dining and activities.
Residents in Disability Support Program homes licensed under the Homes for Special Care Act have the same visitor restrictions as residents in long-term care but can continue to leave the facility as long as they are fully vaccinated. It is strongly recommended that they have a booster dose if they are eligible.
There is no change in the requirement for proof of full vaccination for discretionary activities. It is still required for attendees and volunteers, even in places where gathering limits and physical distance will apply.
Nova Scotia also reported 522 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, the sixth day in a row the province has announced record high single-day case increases.
The previous record for the highest single-day case increase was on Monday, when 485 new cases were reported.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident
Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday.
‘It’s pretty emotional:’ N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home
A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on November, 14.
Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont.
A large cargo ship remains stuck in the St. Lawrence River after running aground on Saturday afternoon.
Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas
A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada.
B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger
A B.C. man has been awarded nearly $800,000 in damages as compensation for injuries he sustained from a defective bear banger, according to a recent court decision.
A man called 911 for help during a home invasion. Las Vegas police fatally shot him
A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him, according to authorities and 911 calls.
Cat caught in hunting snare rescued by BC SPCA
Donations are ramping up for a BC SPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device.
These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas
Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech.
'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian
One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger.