N.S. Eases Restrictions To Allow Gatherings of Ten People
Effective immediately, Nova Scotians can gather in groups of ten.
Premier Stephen McNeil and chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia Dr. Robert Strang announced the change in restrictions Friday.
While easing restrictions, they reminded people to still keep six feet apart unless they are in the same household bubble.
The limitation is in place regardless of whether the gathering takes place indoors or out and an exception will be made for outdoor weddings and funerals where up to 15 people will be permitted.
The province also announced private campgrounds will be allowed to open at half capacity starting June 5 and provincial campgrounds will follow suit June 15.
The provincial reservation line will be open June 8 and bookings will only be accepted from residents of Nova Scotia.
Pools can also now prepare to open in anticipation they will operate this summer.
The easing of restrictions comes as Nova Scotia records the first day without a new coronavirus case since March.
The premier and Dr.Strang say Nova Scotians have got the province to a place where the number of people gathering together could be increased.
McNeil encouraged people to keep it up a while longer.
“You can see more of your family members now with the gathering limit gone to ten and you can hang out together, watch your grandchildren play, but to protect them and yourself and the health of our province, no hugs, kisses or handshakes. Stay six feet apart for a little longer. If we continue to flatten the curve we will be able to lift up your spirits by taking down more restrictions.”
Dr.Strang says people have questioned why some decisions seem to contradict each other, like why Nova Scotians can go into a restaurant but not hug their grandchildren.
“We have to understand that the first step in recovery needed to be opening the economy, allowing people to get back to work. At the end of the day having a strong functioning economy, having people working, that’s an important measure that improves people’s health.”
Strang also acknowledged in order to maintain vibrant communities, people need to get together.
“We recognize that people want to get together, we recognize the soccer team wants to practice, we recognize the full church wants to get together. But we have to do this slowly and carefully.”
Dr.Stang explained why they had to push back on opening daycares.
He say the plans coming from the industry were too high-level and didn’t provide the level of detail needed to ensure the safety of the children.
He says his department is working with daycare operators to provide a blueprint that will allow them to open.
The Premier says he couldn’t hold back opening the economy any longer because people needed to get back to work to pay their bills.
He understands the 10 day gap between when business can reopen on June 5 and the scheduled reopening of daycares on June 15 will be a struggle.
McNeil is looking for businesses to step in to help by providing flexibility in scheduling.
“To please respect your employees who have issues with childcare during these ten days. We need to take care of each other. We need to be kind to each other. We need to support each other as our province tries to come back from COVID-19.
Reported by Ed Halverson
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson