Nova Scotia Loosening Restrictions On Bars, Restaurants And Recreation
Bars and restaurants can operate at full capacity as the province further eases COVID-19 restrictions.
Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang announced along with bars and restaurants, private campgrounds can also increase their capacity and public pools are now permitted to open.
Dr. Strang was quick to point out the 100 percent capacity is based on the COVID-19 precautions that are in place and doesn’t mean the establishments can return to their pre-COVID capacity.
The province also increased the gathering limits to 250 people if an event is coordinated by a professional and held outside, or 200 attendees, indoors.
Families will still be limited to 50 people.
Dr.Strang says he understands the desire to return to normal, but we’re just not there yet.
“This isn’t about going back to our pre-COVID normal. As we open up our economy and society, we run a real risk of a COVID-19 resurgence if we don’t continue all the core public health measures.”
Dr. Strang says the new normal for Nova Scotians must continue to include good hand hygiene, practicing social distancing and wearing masks when appropriate.
“It only takes a small minority of the population to let their guard off and it puts all of us at risk. We have a collective obligation to protect each other and all of us follow the public health measures.”
The province is also now recommending that people wear non-medical protective face masks when they are in situations where social distancing isn’t possible such as riding a bus, or being in a mall.
Strang acknowledged by easing the restrictions, the public is at an increased risk of exposure to the coronavirus and masks can help mitigate some of that risk.
“Wearing a mask really, is a way of showing that we care about other people and we ask them to wear a mask so they can care about us. Wearing masks together is a critically important piece of these preventative tools, and it’s a very important way to clearly demonstrate how we are looking after each other.”
While the province has allowed public pools to open, use of those facilities will be limited to lane swims, exercise and swim classes so that social distancing can be maintained.
Sports teams will also be limited to gatherings of 50 people in groups of ten. Those numbers include any spectators that may be present.
Premier Stephen McNeil announced the 2020 sailing season for the CAT ferry that runs between Yarmouth and Portland has been cancelled due to concerns with COVID-19.
“We’re seeing what’s happening in the U.S.. We do not have, at that entry point, the kind of screening that we felt would be required at this time around assessing passengers, public health, all of those kinds of things.”
McNeil says the province still has contractual obligations with the ferry operator Bay Ferries but didn’t have numbers at hand to say what it will cost Nova Scotians to shelve the ferry.
The premier closed the briefing by talking about why he hasn’t worn a mask up to this point. McNeil says he’s done some soul-searching and has come to the decision he will begin.
“When someone is wearing a mask, they are protecting me and others, so I need to do the same for them.”
Reported by Ed Halverson
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson