Volunteers surge in N.S. to help with testing as fourth wave of COVID-19 arrives
As a fourth wave crashes into communities across Canada, volunteers are helping to build part of Nova Scotia's protective wall.
About 60 volunteers are needed each day from now until Thanksgiving to help put together 300,000 take-home testing kits that were shipped to Nova Scotia by the federal government in bulk and need to be assembled for individual use. Volunteers can apply at testtoprotect.ca.
"Instead of sort of getting buried over with fear we're actually working proactively," said Marianne Stanford, a volunteer.
As of Monday afternoon, Nova Scotia was still shy of its target to see 75 per cent of its eligible population double dosed. The province still sits at 74.3 per cent, but is expected to enter its fifth and final phase of reopening next Monday.
The Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia questions whether masks will stay mandatory but knows proof of vaccine will.
"The last survey we did it was about 78 per cent of the restaurants agreed with that," said Gordon Stewart with Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia.
But not everyone is onboard.
The co-owner of Fresh from the Oven in Greenwood said she isn't against vaccines but she is against the province's mandatory vaccine policy.
To avoid asking patrons for proof, Elizabeth Stevens' business will shift from dine-in to take-out only.
"I just can't discriminate against other people and that's how I see it," Stevens said.
"I feel the Nova Scotia government are using us gyms, us restaurants as a back play to get people vaccinated and I won't have any part of it."
Marla MacInnis, media relations advisor with the Department of Health and Wellness said the priority remains keeping Nova Scotians safe.
"We want businesses to be able to stay open and stay safe, so the vaccine policy will be a short-term measure that will help them maintain this balance through the fourth wave," MacInnis said.
"Provincial inspectors will conduct compliance checks. Any compliance action will take into consideration the risk to public health and the willingness of the business or organization to comply with this protocol."
Writing exemptions falls on physicians. A letter sent to doctors includes advice from the chief medical officer and lists conditions considered valid medical reasons— including allergic reactions, a history of venous or arterial thrombosis, or capillary leak syndrome. It also said people with myocarditis or pericarditis after their first dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should wait to get their second dose until more information is available.
"The conditions that are listed on the memorandum that was released are very rare," Dr. Heather Johnson, President of Doctors Nova Scotia.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.