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January 22, 2021:
- State of Emergency Renewed:The province is renewing the state of emergency to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians and ensure safety measures and other important actions can continue. The order will take effect at noon Sunday, Jan. 24 and extend to noon Sunday, Feb. 7, unless government terminates or extends it.
- Most Public Health Restrictions Extended: Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, announced on Jan. 22, that most public health restrictions will be extended until at least Feb. 7. Recognizing the challenges of the pandemic, a change has been made to allow mental health and addictions support groups to meet in groups of up to 25 instead of 10, with physical distancing. This also comes into effect Jan. 25. Read more.
- Two variant cases of COVID-19: The lab confirmed today that the National Microbiology Lab identified two variant cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, one UK and one South African variant, tested in December. Both of the cases were related to travel outside of Canada and were reported in Central Zone. Read more.
January 12, 2021:
- COVID-19 Update: As of Jan. 12, Nova Scotia has 27 active cases of COVID-19. One new case was reported. Read more.
- Testing Mandatory for Rotational Workers: Starting Friday, Jan. 15, testing will be mandatory for rotational workers who work outside Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. This approach reflects the risk of importing the virus through frequent travel. Workers must complete their full 14 days of modified self-isolation, even if they have a negative test result. They must get tested on day one or two and again on day six, seven or eight. Read more.
January 8, 2021:
- New Brunswick Border Tightened & New Self Isolation Requirement: Due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia is tightening border controls. In addition, a new self-isolation requirement for people coming to Nova Scotia from New Brunswick takes effect tomorrow, Jan. 9, at 8 a.m. Read the full release here.
- People entering Nova Scotia from New Brunswick must complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form before arriving and self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Nova Scotians returning from New Brunswick must also self-isolate for 14 days, unless they are exempt from the order. For example, people who regularly cross the provincial border for work do not have to isolate and can get a pass from border officials to display in their vehicle.
- If you’ve arrived from New Brunswick or had visitors from that province in the past 14 days, you should get tested immediately and consider a second test five to seven days later.
- The public health order exempts some people from self-isolation if they do not have symptoms, including certain workers who must travel for their jobs, including people who routinely cross the land border for work
- Specialized workers doing critical urgent work that cannot be done by anyone in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland Labrador can enter Nova Scotia to do their work but must otherwise self-isolate.
- Rotational workers who work outside Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador have a modified form of self-isolation when they return home. They should get tested on day 1 or 2 of their isolation and again on day 6, 7 or 8.
- COVID-19 Update: As of Jan. 8, Nova Scotia has 29 active cases of COVID-19. Two new cases are being reported. Read more.
- Province Renews State of Emergency: The province is renewing the state of emergency to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians and ensure safety measures and other important actions can continue. The order will take effect at noon Sunday, Jan. 10 and extend to noon Sunday, Jan. 24, unless government terminates or extends it.
January 5, 2021:
- Update on Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan: Nova Scotia is building a strategic, flexible immunization plan with over a million doses of COVID-19 vaccine – enough for more than 500,000 people – expected to arrive in the province over the next six months. Read more.
