Nova Scotia premier says he's comfortable with cautious timeline for reopening plan
Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin says he's comfortable sticking to a minimum of two weeks between phases of his government's five-step reopening plan, despite pressure from business and tourism groups.
The business and tourism sectors have been pushing for the government to set specific reopening dates that co-ordinate with the other three Atlantic provinces and to potentially accelerate the phases. Rankin, however, told reporters Wednesday he's not ready to change the plan.
"I think we were clear that the two-week time frame was needed, especially opening up with the first phase," he said. "We are comfortable but we need to stay cautious for next week with Phase 2."
The premier said it's increasingly likely the second phase will begin on June 16. He has previously said that if all goes well, the province could open to travellers from the other Atlantic provinces by June 30.
Prince Edward Island, meanwhile, plans to welcome partially vaccinated Atlantic Canadian travellers by June 27, while New Brunswick is dropping its self-isolation requirement for Atlantic Canadians on July 1. Newfoundland and Labrador plans to allow travellers from the rest of Canada as early as July 1.
Nova Scotia's phased approach is to proceed in two-to-four-week intervals, depending on the number of infections in the province, the vaccine rollout and the capacity of the health-care system to manage new cases.
Rankin didn't rule out altering phases three and four of the plan, which would allow Canadians to enter the province under certain unspecified conditions. "We continue to look at that and how we can provide more accommodations, especially for those who are vaccinated because they have more protection," he said.
The province reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and announced that 62 per cent of the entire population had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The province has 164 active reported infections and 15 people in hospital with the disease, including seven in intensive care.
HOSPITAL VISITOR RULES EASED
Nova Scotia's health authority also announced it was beginning to ease visitor restrictions at hospitals. It said the plan for hospital visitors would proceed in two-to-four-week intervals to align with the province's reopening plan.
The first step entered into effect Wednesday and allows two family members or support people to visit patients in intensive care, critically ill patients in the emergency department and women in labour and after they give birth.
Under the second phase, slated to begin June 16 at the earliest, one family member or support person will be allowed to visit any admitted patient or a patient in the emergency department, and three family members or support people will be allowed for palliative care patients and others nearing the end of life.
The third phase, scheduled to start June 30 at the earliest, would allow two family members or support people to visit admitted patients and four would be allowed to visit patients in palliative care and others nearing end of life.
In the fourth phase, one family member or support person would be allowed to accompany someone receiving outpatient care.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.