FALL RIVER/HALIFAX: The border between N.S. and N.B. has officially reopened, as of 8 a.m. today March 20. Sort of.
At the COVID19 briefing on March 19 in Halifax, Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, announced the New Brunswick border was opening and remaining restrictions in parts of Halifax Regional Municipality and surrounding communities would be lifted.
Both changes became effective at 8 a.m. today, March 20.
According to government spokespersons, the announcement means if you’re entering N.S. from N.B., you do not need to self-isolate. However, if you are entering N.B. from N.S. you still are required to self-isolate in N.B. as per their restrictions. N.B. has not changed their restrictions to fall in line with the N.S. changes.
“We look forward to reopening the entire Atlantic bubble but in the meantime, with case numbers declining, we are comfortable opening the New Brunswick border,” said Premier Rankin.
“We know many businesses and families need to cross this border frequently and we don’t want to delay their return to normal travel routines.”
Just like residents of Prince Edward Island, residents of New Brunswick will no longer have to self-isolate upon arrival in Nova Scotia, and they won’t have to complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form. Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador must still follow these requirements.
“Along with opening the New Brunswick border, we’re now in a position to lift the additional restrictions in areas of Halifax Regional Municipality and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Strang. “The virus is still here, though, and everyone needs to remain vigilant if we want to avoid imposing restrictions again.
“Even as people start getting vaccinated, we need to continue following all the public health measures until the majority of Nova Scotians have immunity.”
Additional Resources:
COVID-19 self-assessment: https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en
Nova Scotia coronavirus website: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada information line 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)
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