This update was emailed to CANS Members on Thursday, February 10, 2022.  

COVID-19 Update for CANS Members February 10, 2022

Included in this update:

  • Updates to CANS Projects & Documents Services
  • Current Provincial COVID Restrictions
  • Restrictions to Ease Over Three Phases, Starting Feb 14
  • Close Contact Isolation Requirements
  • Updated Process for Taking Rapid Test
  • Masking Recommendations
  • Vaccine & Testing Information
  • Funding Support for Businesses

CANS Projects & Documents Services

For the week of February 14-18, CANS Dartmouth office will continue offering the following in-person services: print orders, the sale of CCDC & CCA Standard Documents, and the signing of Statutory Declarations. These services are available from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please note: CANS Business Centre and board rooms remain closed.

To ensure the health and safety of CANS staff, our members and visitors coming into our office, you will only be able to enter the main entrance vestibule.

Below you will find detailed instructions on how to access CANS Projects & Documents services.

How to access CANS Projects & Documents Services

Upon arrival at CANS, please ensure proper masking before entering and sanitize your hands once inside the door. From there, ring the bell and a CANS staff member will confirm your name, company and the service you require. 

Depending on what services you require, CANS staff will instruct you on the next steps. Note: Payment for services can be made over the phone using a credit card, cheque or EFT payment. We will not be accepting cash or debit at this time.

Print Orders

  • You will receive a notification that your order is ready. Upon arrival, your print order will be on the table in the vestibule area for you to pick up. Please limit touch of any other orders in the vestibule. Please note that print orders can be couriered or mailed to you via Canada Post.

CCDC & CCA Standard Documents

  • You will receive a notification that your order is ready. Your document order will be on the table in the vestibule area for you to pick up. Please limit touch of any other orders in the vestibule. Please note that document orders can be couriered or mailed to you via Canada Post.

Statutory Declarations

  • Place your document(s) on the table and hold up your photo ID. The Commissioner of Oaths will remain on the inside of the door for the full process and will issue the declaration from there.
  • Once agreed, sign the document and pass your document through the slot in the door to the Commissioner.
  • The Commissioner of Oaths will stamp and sign the document(s), and pass them back to you via the slot in the door.

Note: We are still encouraging the use of our virtual Commissioner of Oaths services for signing Statutory Declarations. For more information or to book your appointment, contact Lesley Whynot.

Questions about CANS Projects & Documents Services?

If you have any questions, please contact Lesley Whynot by phone at 902-880-6046 or email.

Public Health Restrictions to Ease Over Three Phases

Provincewide COVID-19 restrictions will be eased over three phases, starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, February 14.

  • In Phase 1, events will be allowed again, gathering limits will increase and all border restrictions for domestic travellers will be lifted.
  • In Phase 2, gathering limits will be further increased.
  • In Phase 3, there will be no more gathering limits or physical distance requirements.

Throughout the first two phases, masks will continue to be required in indoor public places and proof of full vaccination will continue to be required for discretionary activities. These restrictions may also continue in Phase 3, depending on epidemiology.

Each phase is expected to last about a month, depending on epidemiology, hospitalizations, case activity in long-term care facilities and employee absenteeism.

Details of the restrictions in each phase are at: https://novascotia.ca/reopening-plan/

Highlights of Phase One —
  • Border restrictions are lifted for domestic travellers. If you travel from another Canadian province or territory, you can enter Nova Scotia and don’t need to complete the Safe Check-in Form or self-isolate when you arrive in or return to Nova Scotia.
  • Workplaces (like offices and warehouses) can start to follow a phased approach to have employees return to the workplace with social distancing and masks. Wearing a mask is required in all common areas, places where there’s interaction with the public, areas with poor ventilation and areas where people can’t maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others (except when you’re seated for meetings with a regular team).
  • Retail stores can operate at the maximum capacity possible (shoppers and staff) with public health measures like social distancingand masks.
  • Meetings and training (indoor and outdoor) – 50% of the venue’s capacity with social distancingand masks when meetings and training are hosted by a business or organization.

This list does not include all updates to restrictions in Phase One, for a full overview, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/reopening-plan/phase-one/

Modified Isolation Requirements for Close Contacts

Effective Tuesday, February 1, everyone sharing a home — irrespective of age or vaccination status — must isolate until they test negative if someone in that household tests positive for COVID-19. Isolation must last at least 72 hours after the first positive case was confirmed.

If someone else in the home tests positive, the isolation and testing requirements reset for everyone and become based on the infection date of the most recent case.

LEARN MORE: Read more on CBC News about this update. For complete guidance on what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, or are a close content, please click here.

*NOTE: The above guidance DOES NOT apply to individuals who have already tested positive for COVID-19 or who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

So, what if I’ve recovered from COVID but have a new contact?

If you have no symptoms, you are not required to isolate. If you have symptoms, please stay home until they have resolved or are improving. Public Health does not recommend testing for individuals recovered within the past 90 days.

If it has been more than 90 days since you recovered from COVID-19 and you have a new exposure, please follow the above instructions for testing and isolation based on whether the positive case lives in your household and symptom status.

Throat and Nose Swabs Now Recommended for Rapid Tests

Nova Scotia Health is now recommending that people in the province swab both their throat and nose while collecting samples for a COVID-19 rapid test.

“‘Nova Scotia researchers have determined that collecting samples from both the throat and nose provides a more accurate rapid test result than a nose swab alone, which is the instruction provided by the manufacturer,’ the release said.” Read more about this update from Global News.

Masking Recommendations

Wearing a mask can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. How well a mask works depends on the materials used and how well it fits. To help mitigate the spread of the Omicron variant, Nova Scotia’s chief medical health officer Dr. Robert Strang updated guidance on masking to recommend wearing three-layer medical or cloth face coverings that fit snugly.

Double Masking Recommended

Trying to decide between cloth masks and medical masks? Double masking is achieved by wearing a cloth mask over a medical-grade mask. The medical-grade mask has good filtration qualities, while the cloth mask allows for a closer fit to the wearer’s face.

Update on N95s and KN95s

Epidemiologists are recommending the use of N95s and KN95s for everyone. Production increases have allowed the public to take advantage of the increased protection afforded by these respirators while not diminishing supplies in healthcare/medical settings.

CHOOSING YOUR MASK: For full guidance on picking a mask, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/masks/#choosing or, download the Occupational Health and Safety COVID-19 Guidelines: Masks and Respirators in Non-healthcare Workplaces (PDF)

Vaccine & Testing Information

Vaccination & Booster Information

To protect yourself, your family and your colleagues from COVID-19, it is important to get vaccinated. You can book an appointment for yourself or someone else (like a parent, grandparent or child). You can also book an appointment if you’re eligible for an additional dose or booster dose. Most appointments need to be booked in advance. You may also be able to go to a drop-in clinic without an appointment.

Testing Information

Public Health has changed its testing program to make sure people get the kind of test that they need. Visit Nova Scotia Health Authority for testing requirements, when you need to self-isolate, and what you need to do if you’re a close contact or have tested positive for COVID-19.

Funding Support for Businesses

Provincial Support

The Sector Impact Support Program provides a one-time grant of up to $7,500 to help small business owners that have been impacted by the new province-wide public health restrictions. Applications opened on Monday, January 10, 2022.

Nova Scotians who need to take time off work because of COVID-19 may qualify for up to four paid sick days through the COVID-19 Sick Leave Program. Applications opened on Monday, January 10, 2022.

 

Federal Support

Learn more about federal funding support available to your business, including information on the Local Lockdown Program and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit.

CANS COVID-19 Information

Click HERE to visit CANS COVID-19 Information Centre.