Phase 3 of Nova Scotia Reopening Plan

USPA NEWS - On Wednesday June 30th, Nova Scotia entered Phase 3 of the reopening plan for the province that includes the full reopening of the Atlantic Bubble which allows for residents of Atlantic Canada to travel freely throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland without any isolation requirements.

 Also as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, fully immunized people coming from provinces or territories outside of Atlantic Canada can come to Nova Scotia without having to self-isolate. They must have had their second dose at least two weeks before arriving, and will need to upload proof of vaccination when filling out the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form. They might also need to show that proof when arriving in the province.

Other highlights of the Phase 3 of Nova Scotia's reopening plan include: Gatherings/Informal gatherings can include a household plus 10 people indoors, or 25 people total outdoors without physical distancing. Faith gatherings, weddings, funerals and associated receptions and visitation hosted by a recognized business or organization can have 50 per cent capacity to a maximum of 100 people indoors or 150 people outdoors.

Business/Restaurants and licensed establishments continue to operate with existing mask and distancing rules; customers can go to the bar to order; establishments must stop service by midnight and close by 1 a.m.; they can have performers following the limit for arts and culture performances. All retail stores can operate at 75 per cent capacity.  Personal services such as hair salons, barber shops and spas can offer all services by appointment or drop-in, following their sector plan. Meetings and training hosted by a recognized business or organization can have 50 per cent capacity to a maximum of 100 people indoors or 150 people outdoors. Events hosted by a recognized business or organization can have 50 per cent capacity to a maximum of 100 people indoors or 150 people outdoors and organizers need a plan following guidelines for events.

Recreation/Fitness and recreation facilities such as gyms, yoga studios, pools and arenas can operate at 75 per cent capacity with public health measures. A wide variety of recreation and leisure businesses and organizations, such as dance classes, music lessons, escape rooms and indoor play spaces, can operate at 50 per cent capacity. Organized sports practices, games, league play and recreation programs can involve up to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors without physical distancing. There can be no tournaments. Day camps can operate with 20 campers per group plus staff and volunteers, following the day camp guidelines, and overnight summer camps can operate with 15 campers per group plus staff and volunteers, following the overnight camp guidelines.

Arts and Culture/Professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and performances can involve up to 15 people indoors and 25 outdoors without physical distancing. Audiences must follow the gathering limits for events hosted by a recognized business or organization, and museums, and libraries and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia can open at 50 percent capacity.

Continuing Care/Indoor visits with fully vaccinated residents can resume in designated visitation areas at long-term care facilities. Physical distancing is no longer required for outdoor visits at long-term care facilities. Fully vaccinated residents can go to indoor and outdoor public places like parks, stores and restaurants.

At today's COVID-19 media briefing, Premier Iain Rankin said health officials continue to monitor the impact of reopening our borders and the other loosened restrictions that came with Phase 3, but "all signs are positive so far." 

Even though COVID-19 case numbers remain low, Dr Robert Strang chief medical officer of Nova Scotia reminds everyone that Covid is still  around us, and  the best defense is for  everyone to get immunized with the first and second dose as soon as posible.

With the "vaccine rollout" ahead of schedule, easing of travel restrictions, and case numbers remaining low, Nova Scotians are feeling a sense of cautious optimism as we approach Phase 4 of the reopening plan scheduled for July 14th.