EAST HANTS: The province has announced some changes to their COVID19 restrictions, which have been in place province-wide as well as those that were in place in the HRM, Elmsdale, Lantz, Enfield, and the Mount Uniacke areas.
The changes to the provincewide restrictions:
— the general gathering limit remains at 10 indoors and outdoors
— household gatherings will be increased from maximum 10 to households plus up to 10 others
— immediate family members who live in the same household can be together outdoors even if that is more than 10 people
— restaurants and licensed establishments can stop service by 11 p.m. and close by midnight
— fitness facilities continue to operate at 75 per cent capacity but can return to two metres between people for all activities
The changes to these restrictions became effective at 8 a.m. today, March 20.
With restrictions lifted, the following is also allowed provincewide:
— events hosted by a recognized business or organization can have 150 outdoors or 50 per cent capacity to a maximum of 100 indoors
— events include social events, special events, sport events, arts and culture events, festivals, faith gatherings, weddings with receptions, and funerals with receptions and visitation
— meetings and training hosted by recognized businesses and organizations can have 150 outdoors or 50 per cent capacity to a maximum of 100 indoors and organized clubs can break into cohorts of 15 following the day-camp guidelines
— physical distancing is required for meetings and training except when emergency responders need to be closer than two metres for training
— licensed establishments, unlicensed establishments such as community centres and charities, and organized clubs can host activities such as darts, cards, pool, bowling, bingo or karaoke following guidelines for these activities
— visitors are allowed in long-term care facilities
— visitors are allowed in adult residential centres and regional rehabilitation centres licensed by the Department of Community Services and residents can resume full community access
— retail businesses and malls operate at 75 per cent capacity and follow other public health measures
— sports practices and training and arts and culture rehearsals and performances can have 60 people without physical distancing
— sports games, competitions and tournaments are allowed within the team’s regular competitive schedule
— spectators are allowed if the business or organization hosting the event has a gathering plan that follows event guidelines
Adult day programs for seniors remain closed provincewide until seniors living outside long-term care facilities have an opportunity to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 protocols in public schools continue to be guided by Nova Scotia’s Back to School Plan.
People who do not follow the gathering limit can be fined. The fine is $1,000 for each person at an illegal gathering.
