Happy Thanksgiving! We've made it to the end of the first week of Phase 5 in Nova Scotia. As we move into the holiday weekend it’s important to remember that we still have community spread in HRM. Please enjoy yourselves and please also continue to follow public health protocols around handwashing, masking, and testing where necessary.
As a reminder:
- There is no longer a requirement for physical distance.
- There is no longer a gathering limit for events hosted by a business organization. The informal gathering limits of 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors remain in place.
- Masks are still required in indoor public places.
- Proof of full vaccination is required for access to most non-essential events and activities.
- Current border restrictions remain in place and have expanded to include people coming from PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador. Self-isolation is still required after travel for people who aren’t fully vaccinated (at least 7 days plus 2 negative tests). International travellers will continue to follow federal requirements.
Proof of Vaccination
Nova Scotians are now required by law to show proof of full vaccination in order to participate in discretionary, non-essential events and activities where people gather together such as eating at restaurants, going to the gym, or going to a movie, theatre performance, concert or sporting event. It is not required for essential, non-discretionary activities and services such as grocery stores, pharmacies, healthcare and more.
This requires the presentation of a record (digital or paper) of your vaccination as well as your ID. Later this month businesses will be equipped with scanners for QR codes that have been provided and will make for easier checking.
The onus falls to the businesses or hosts of these events to check your proof. They cannot allow people to participate if they do not show proof of full vaccination. Thank you to everyone who has been patient and kind with front-line service workers as they navigate this new protocol. More information about proof of vaccinations is available here.
Asymptomatic Testing
Public Health is no longer implementing a robust asymptomatic PCR testing strategy. This is because more people are vaccinated and therefore the chance of transmission among vaccinated people has been reduced.
The following groups are still able to access asymptomatic testing:
- Close contacts of confirmed cases.
- People who have been at a community exposure location.
- Travellers entering the province from outside of Nova Scotia but from within Canada (not related to outbound travel or federal testing requirements for international travel).
- Individuals who have screened positive on a rapid antigen test (e.g. through workplace screening) and require a confirmatory test.
- Pre-procedure (pre-surgery, etc.) for patients when required.
Symptomatic testing will still be easily accessible for anyone with a new or worsening cough; OR two or more of the following: fever (chills, sweats), shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose/nasal, congestion, headache. More info here.
Fortunately, free rapid antigen testing is still available, a list of sites is updated regularly here. There is generally at least one opportunity a week at Alderney Landing—my family has made it a part of our Saturday market routine.
Rapid testing is offered for people who:
- are over 16.
- do not have symptoms.
- have not travelled.
- have not visited a potential exposure location.
- have not been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
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