It’s seems rapid COVID tests are becoming more difficult to find across the province.
Nova Scotia Health say they are aware of increased demand for testing kits and are working to distribute more to their community partners.
The department has increased the number of kits they delivered in July by 34,000 above the almost 234,000 distributed in June.
Rapid tests can be found at most public libraries and family resource centres, MLA offices, Public Health Mobile Units, and for those using the services of Feed Nova Scotia and Access Nova Scotia.
Some regional libraries have been delayed in receiving their test kits, but Nova Scotia Health says they are available at all main branches.
In Queens, the Thomas Raddall library still has stock as does MLA Kim Masland’s office.
Public Health no longer recommends testing for COVID if no symptoms are present but says it’s still a good idea to have a couple of tests on hand in case symptoms develop.
One of the many views along the trails at Kejimkujik Seaside Park. Photo Parks Canada
Tourism operators are optimistic 2022 will be a bounce back year for the industry.
Travel and public health restrictions during COVID kept many tourists away, decimating businesses and creating insecurity which led many staff to leave the industry altogether.
President of TIANS, the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia Darlene Grant Fiander says tourism operators expect this summer to get back on track.
In a written exchange Fiander said, “Early bookings are strong and interest in NS [is] trending strong. Our air capacity is returning; the Marine access to the US is trending positive. Festival and events are returning and act as significant draws.”
In 2019, the province took in $2.6 billion from tourism revenue, generating $450 million in tax revenue.
When COVID hit in 2020, that revenue was cut well beyond half to $900,000.
Numbers are not in yet for 2021 but Grant Fiander says estimates show the loss will be similar.
Over the two years the tourism industry is projecting they have lost over $3 billion in revenue.
While all level of government has offered supports, several businesses just couldn’t withstand the downturn and have closed, though Grant Fiander says they are still working to determine how many.
“I do know of some members that will not be operating this year, we currently have a survey in the market to qualify some of the stories we have heard,” said Grant Fiander.
Many tourism workers left the industry during the pandemic for other positions that were less susceptible to closures.
Grant-Fiander says getting people back into tourism positions is a struggle when every industry is experiencing a shortage of workers.
“…the industry has a strategy to redefine work in the sector; recruitment and build retention plans that will leverage the positive benefits of entrepreneurship and career opportunities. We have work to do, but we are optimistic,” said Grant Fiander. “Some operators are addressing the housing issue by investing in staff housing in rural communities; many operators have enhanced their hiring practices and benefits.”
Grant Fiander says TIANS is a resource where members can turn for help navigating government assistance programs to information and training around human resources, to enhancing the guest experience and rebuilding their businesses.
She says operators are ready to welcome tourists back to Nova Scotia in 2022.
The public can once again attend Remembrance Day ceremonies this year.
The events were limited to invited guests in 2020 due to restrictions around the COVID pandemic.
Chairman of the poppy fund for Royal Canadian Legion Branch 38 Louis Landry says ceremonies will go ahead this year but all events must take place outside.
“The Liverpool ceremony was always held within the theatre with a wreath-laying session out at the actual cenotaph after the ceremony,’ said Landry. “Because of COVID this year, we’ve decided not to have it indoors, we’ll have everything outdoors as we did last year.”
COVID protocols have been relaxed but Landry says anyone attending one of the nine services being held across Queens County will need to wear a mask and follow the six-foot social distancing rules.
Landry says the legion banquet that would traditionally follow the ceremony has also been canceled.
Instead, people are invited to stop by the legion following the ceremony to speak veterans and members.
Anyone wishing to enter the legion will need to show proof of vaccination before entering.
Premier Tim Houston. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
The government of Nova Scotia has announced all 11,000 direct provincial employees will be required to be vaccinated by November 30.
Those who fail to do so could be placed on unpaid leave.
The measure comes as the province reports another death from COVID and 25 new cases Wednesday.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says Nova Scotia is currently averaging about 40 new cases each day, about what is his department expected to see during this fourth wave of the pandemic.
At Wednesday’s COVID briefing Strang also addressed concerns about the number of cases that have been found in schools.
He says parents should not keep their children out of school unless directed to by public health.
“High vaccination rate and mild symptoms in the vast majority of children means that we can have some tolerance for this. And I firmly believe that the risk of not being in school is greater than the risk of COVID,” said Strang. “I believe that schools remain safe even though we may have some virus activity.”
Strang says if public health feels a school needs to be closed they will not hesitate to do so.
Commenting on the implementation of proof of vaccine requirements that took effect October 4, Premier Tim Houston says the feedback he’s heard from businesses and the public has been mostly positive.
And those who do not support the measures should not take their frustrations out on employees doing what the province have told them they must.
“If you don’t want to do the things that keep us all safe, just stay home. If you’re unhappy, feel free to flip me the bird when I’m walking down the street, or yell at me but don’t yell at the person that’s just doing their job,” said Houston. “Please, take that out on us but not them.”
Premier Iain Rankin in Lunenburg. Photo Ed Halverson
The province announced five new palliative care beds are opening on the South Shore.
Premier Iain Rankin was in Lunenburg to share the news the province will provide $1 million annually to fund the five spaces at Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg.
The new unit will provide team-based palliative care, including end-of-life care, symptom management and support for patients and families from across Queens and Lunenburg counties.
Existing beds at the hospital will be converted into home-like environments.
The province will pick up the tab for equipment and furnishings and additional staff requirements.
Chair of the South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society Trudy Johnson says the new beds will provide dignity at the end of life.
“I guess I’ll describe it as a giant hug,” said Johnson. “You know, you have people embracing you at your end of life and being able to be with you with dignity and comfort and care and knowing that they love you.”
Trudy Johnson. Photo Ed Halverson
The new unit is set to open this fall.
The new funding announcement is the latest in a string from Premier Rankin, leading many to believe an election call is imminent.
Border blockade takes center stage
Wednesday’s announcement was overshadowed by news of the blockade that has been erected at the New Brunswick – Nova Scotia border.
Protestors blocking the Trans-Canada Highway into Nova Scotia are reacting to last minute changes to quarantine requirements for anyone entering this province from New Brunswick.
The premier announced Tuesday people coming from New Brunswick may have to quarantine up to 14 days based on the number of vaccines they have received and testing.
Protestors are frustrated restrictions weren’t lifted for travellers from New Brunswick the same as they were for people coming from Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador.
Rankin has a message to those blockading the highway.
“Think about all the families in Nova Scotia. I have a duty to look out for safety and everyone’s lives,” said Rankin. “We just lost two Nova Scotians yesterday. One had one shot of vaccine. I need to trust the advise of public health that we need one more week.”
At a press conference late Wednesday afternoon, PC Leader Tim Houston said he has been in touch with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs about the blockade
“I urge the premier to do the same thing. To have those discussions, get everyone to the table and open up the border. But the blockade must end. Goods and services have to be able to flow, families have to be reunited and out products have to move, so end the blockades now,” said Houston.
PC Leader Tim Houston. Screen grab from Zoom conference
For his part, the premier is once again calling on Nova Scotians to put their faith in the people who have kept them safe throughout the pandemic.
“Support public health and support the safety of Nova Scotians for one week and then we’re in a much different place,” said Rankin. “We’ll have thousands of more people with their second dose. Let’s give public health the confidence we have for five months.”