EAST HANTS: The Chief Medical Officer of Health said the four communities that line Highway 2 through East Hants were included in the restrictions announced April 22 because of their proximity to Halifax.
Dr. Robert Strang spoke about the inclusion of Mount Uniacke; Enfield; Elmsdale; Lantz; and Milford into the list of communities, including HRM, that saw new measures become effective April 23 at 8 a.m.
He was asked about the communities being included following the COVID19 briefing by The Laker News. Here is the video of the briefing, as edited to where we asked, by Dagley Media.
It was a question several residents who contacted The Laker News afterwards thanking them for asking had also been wondering when the restrictions and communities impacted became known.
The restrictions, as listed, will remain in effect until May 20 and apply to all areas of HRM; and Hubbards; Milford; Lantz; Elmsdale; Enfield; Mount Uniacke; Ecum Secum; and Trafalgar.
Outdoor activities are encouraged for physical and mental well-being as long as gathering limits are followed. For example, trails, beaches and playgrounds are open.
Those who do not follow the gathering limit can be fined. The fine is $2,000 for each person at an illegal gathering.
People can look up an address to find out what restrictions apply in their area at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/county-restrictions/lookup/
(THESE WERE ANNOUNCED APRIL 22, and BECAME IN EFFECT APRIL 23)
Following is a list of restrictions in Halifax Regional Municipality and the communities listed above:
— the gathering limit is five, both indoors and outdoors
— no social events, special events, festivals, arts/cultural events, sports events, faith gatherings, wedding receptions, or funeral visitation or receptions
— wedding and funeral ceremonies hosted by a recognized business or organization can have five people, plus officiants
— no meetings or training except mental health and addictions support groups, which can have 25 people with physical distancing and masks
— no sports practices, training, games, competitions or tournaments
— no arts and culture rehearsals or in-person performances
— virtual gatherings and performances can be held with a maximum of five people in one location
— restaurants and licensed establishments are closed to seated service
— licensed and unlicensed establishments cannot host activities such as darts, cards, pool and bowling
— retail businesses and malls can operate at 25 per cent capacity and must follow other public health measures
— personal services such as hair salons, barber shops and spas are closed
-gaming closures to the restrictions – regulated and unregulated health professions can operate following sector plans. This includes regulated health professions such as dental and physiotherapy and unregulated health professions such as massage therapy and other complementary or alternative medicine providers.
— indoor fitness facilities like gyms and yoga studios and sport and recreation facilities like pools, arenas, tennis courts and large multipurpose recreation facilities are closed
— outdoor fitness and recreation businesses can operate with 25 people and physical distancing
— businesses and organizations offering a wide variety of indoor recreation activities are closed, such as indoor play areas, arcades, climbing facilities, dance classes and music lessons
— museums, libraries and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia are closed, but libraries can offer pick-up and drop-off of books and other materials Nova Scotia Art Gallery are closed, but libraries can offer pick-up and drop-off of books and other materials
— there will be no visitors or volunteers allowed inside long-term care facilities but designated care providers can continue to provide normal service and outdoor visits can be arranged
— all homes licensed by the Department of Community Service under the Homes for Special Care Act cannot have visitors and residents cannot have community access
— all adult day programs for persons with disabilities funded by the Department of Community Services will be closed except for scheduled vaccine clinics at three of these programs
— all adult day programs for seniors remain closed provincewide
— in private indoor workplaces such as offices or warehouses, masks are mandatory effective April 23 in all common areas, places where there is interaction with the public, areas with poor ventilation, and areas where distance cannot be maintained
