The first of our province’s three phase plan to totally drop COVID-19 restrictions starts Monday.
Phase 1 is expected to last about a month before further loosening restrictions in Phase 2.
Some highlights:
Border Restrictions
- all border restrictions for domestic travellers are lifted (no isolation requirements or Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form)
Gathering Limits
- the informal gathering limit is up to 25 people
- the formal gathering limit is up to half capacity indoors and outdoors
Sports, Arts and Culture
- sports and arts participants are limited to 60 indoors and outdoors
- practices, training, regular league games, rehearsals, and performances are allowed (tournaments are not allowed)
- physical distance is not required
- spectators are allowed
Faith Services, Weddings and Funerals
- regular faith services, weddings, funerals, receptions, and visitation follow the formal gathering limit
- performers follow limits for arts participants (congregational singing is allowed, but masks are required)
- proof of vaccination remains in place for weddings, funerals, receptions, and visitation (except funerals with up to 25 people, but masks are required)
Fitness, Recreation and Leisure
- fitness, recreation, and leisure organizations can open at 75 per cent capacity
- personal training is allowed (with as much physical distance as possible)
- day camps and before and after school programs can operate with up to 30 campers, staff, and volunteers
Businesses
- retail businesses and malls can open at maximum capacity (with physical distance and masks)
- personal services can resume services that require removing masks
- restaurants and bars can operate at 75 per cent capacity (physical distance is in place, limit of 25 people per table)
Education
- singing and playing wind instruments can resume
- schools will follow the community guidelines on sports, arts and culture, but spectators are only permitted after school hours
Long-Term Care
- residents can have any two visitors at a time (they no longer must be the same two visitors)
- visitors must still wear masks and be fully vaccinated, except for end-of-life visits
- residents can only leave for medical appointments or for a drive in a facility, or visitor’s, vehicle with no stops
