Travel
37 New COVID-19 Cases in Nova Scotia
New Restrictions Announced
(Source: Social Media)
(Source: Social Media)
As Nova Scotia announced 37 new cases of COVID-19, the majority of cases are in the central zone which includes the Halifax Regional Municipality. The age demographic is mainly individuals between 18 and 35.
Premier Stephen McNeil said at a press conference in Halifax on Tuesday, "It´s time to take some tough measures“ to limit the spread. Thirty-seven cases in one day. If that isn´t enough of a concern, I don´t know what is. If you haven´t woken up to the second wave, this is your wake-up call. We need to flip the switch on COVID-19 right now. COVID-19 is moving quickly in Halifax, and we need to stop it from spreading further into Nova Scotia. We must bring COVID-19 under control before our health system is overwhelmed and infects our most vulnerable citizens. Stopping the spread is fully up to us."
The following will apply to the parts of western and central HRM.
The new restrictions are as follows:
Schools, after-school programs, and childcare will remain open while certain personal services businesses such as hairstylists, estheticians, and nail salons in western and central HRM can continue except procedures that cannot be done while a patron is masked, the gathering limit in public is five (or up to the number of members of an immediate family in a household), mandatory masking now applies to common areas of multi-unit residential buildings, such as apartment buildings and condos, restaurants and licensed establishments are closed for in-person dining but may provide take-out or delivery, retail stores must restrict shoppers and staff to 25 percent or less of allowable capacity, libraries and museums are closed, including the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, organized sports, recreational, athletic, arts and cultural activities, faith-based activities are paused, and the casino and First Nations gaming establishments are closed. It has been stressed that there will be stronger enforcement of illegal gatherings, including ticketing of all attendees (total fine of $1,000).
The following new restrictions will be in place province-wide: There will be no visitors except volunteers and designated caregivers to long-term care facilities and Adult Residential Centres and Regional Rehabilitation Centres licensed by the Department of Community Services. To further protect the most vulnerable, staff, volunteers, and designated caregivers at long-term facilities in HRM will undergo voluntary, bi-weekly testing. Testing will be phased-in starting Nov. 27th. Sports teams are restricted to local or regional play only and no extracurricular activities between schools.
Dr. Robert Strang said in his remarks, "COVID-19 loves social and group activities because it can spread quickly and easily. These measures are targeted to reduce the situations in which COVID-19 thrives. Go to work or go to school, then go home and stay there. One family member can shop for necessities. It will likely get worse before it gets better so don't falter in following public health measures."
The Government of Nova Scotia made the following post to their Facebook page.
"Nova Scotians are being asked to avoid non-essential travel in and out of western and central Halifax Regional Municipality and to other Atlantic provinces.
Residents are being asked to stay home as much as possible outside of work and school and to follow public health guidelines. Limit time spent with others outside your household.
COVID-19 is in our communities. We need to act now to help slow the spread and protect those who need our help.
For information on new COVID-19 restrictions visit novascotia.ca/coronavirus/"
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