HALIFAX: Restrictions on the New Brunswick border will be reinstated Thursday, April 15, at 8 a.m., Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, announced today, April 13.
“We are seeing the increased cases in New Brunswick and we are also seeing the presence of variants in the Saint John area. Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to reinstate our border restrictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Premier Rankin.
“As I have said before, we follow the science and public health guidance. When we see changes, we act. This is a reminder of how quickly the situation can change with this virus.
“We ask Nova Scotians to remain vigilant with all the public health measures.”
People coming from New Brunswick will have to self-isolate upon arrival in Nova Scotia and complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form. There are protocols people should follow for certain situations:
— people traveling for work, school, child care or quick, necessary tasks that cannot be done virtually can follow the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick travel protocol
— people traveling for child custody reasons must follow the child custody protocol
— people who are exempt from self-isolation must follow the exempt traveler protocol
These protocols are being updated online to reflect the New Brunswick border restriction.
Anyone isolating in Nova Scotia after travel within Canada should get tested at the beginning and end of their isolation. Anyone who is not required to isolate should get tested three times in their first 14 days home in Nova Scotia.
“People should only travel to and from New Brunswick if absolutely necessary,” said Dr. Strang. “If you must travel, follow the protocols and other requirements in place to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.”
People coming from Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador do not have to self-isolate or complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form.
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form: https://travel-declaration.novascotia.ca/en
Nova Scotia-New Brunswick travel protocol: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/COVID-19-Protocol-for-Nova-Scotia-New-Brunswick.pdf
Child custody protocol: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/COVID-19-Protocol-for-child-custody-en.pdf
Exempt traveler protocol: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/COVID-19-Protocol-for-exempt-travellers-en.pdf
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)
The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)
For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)
