The province is taking baby steps in easing off pandemic restrictions.

Beginning Monday February 7 Nova Scotians will be able to attend events and gatherings in higher numbers.

People still need to maintain their bubble groups of 10 but they can now do so in gatherings of up to 100 inside and 150 people outside.

That includes social, arts and culture events or sport and recreation activities. Faith gatherings, weddings with receptions, and funerals with visitation and receptions can also meet under the new limits.

Retail outlets and fitness facilities can now open to 75 percent of their capacity as well.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says there’s good reason why there will be no change in the restrictions for bars and restaurants.

“Evidence tells us that late night social gatherings where alcohol and other substances may be involved present much higher risks than a youth club or a business meeting. That is why we can open up many types of gatherings but not all,” said Strang.

Bars and restaurants will need to maintain their existing gathering limits and stop service at 10pm and close by 11pm.

Sports teams can also continue to play against other teams they would routinely face but spectators can now be in the stands under the new limits.

However, Strang says when it comes to school sports and concerts, families still need to stay home

“Keeping the number of people in our school low has been an important part of our success in keeping our schools COVID safe,” said Strang. “Therefore we have to maintain the restriction that non-essential adults cannot be allowed into our schools at this time.

No new cases of COVID 19 are being reported today and, Nova Scotia currently has eight active cases. Two people are being treated in hospital and one of those is in the ICU.

In one of his last messages as premier of Nova Scotia, Stephen McNeil cautioned people to continue to be responsible.

“This is a test for all of us,” said McNeil. “We’re keeping our cases down but the moment that we see a shift or a surge, a change in the number of cases, we will not hesitate to bring back restrictions. It really is up to all of us.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.

Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Nova Scotia Government

The COVID-19 vaccine is now being administered to frontline healthcare workers across Nova Scotia.

The Northern Zone was the final area to establish a vaccination clinic today at the Colchester-East Hants Health Centre.

Public Health is reporting four new COVID-19 cases today. One is close contact of a previously reported case in the Northern Zone. The other three are in the central zone and are related to travel outside Nova Scotia.

The province is also expanding the program to immunize residents of long term care facilities by adding two more homes in Sydney.

The expansion comes as the federal government announced provinces will be getting much less Pfizer vaccine than they had previously been told because of the manufacturer’s plan to revamp one of their production facilities.

Chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia Dr. Robert Strang says the province was set to receive 13,500 doses this month and is still waiting to hear from Ottawa how much of that we will actually receive.

Strang called it short-term pain for long-term gain.

“And we continue to be told that any reduction we’re getting for February will be added to the supply we can expect in March.”

Strang says their vaccine rollout plan is flexible to allow for increases or decreases in supply.

Since the first vaccines arrived December 15, 8,520 doses have been administered and 2,215 of those have received their second doses to complete their immunization.

Another 5,850 doses arrived in Nova Scotia this week bringing the total number of doses received to 28,850.

The Nova Scotia College of Nursing recently announced retired nurses will receive a conditional license, at no cost, as a measure to increase the number of people available to administer the vaccine injections.

Strang is pleased to see the number of people stepping up to help get the vaccine into Nova Scotians arms.

Based on the number of people who volunteered to assist with pop-up COVID testing clinics, the province is offering people the opportunity to again help out with the upcoming vaccination clinics.

“There was significant buy-in from communities putting their hand up and saying we want to come and help out in some way,” said Strang. “I really think that many Nova Scotians would be more than willing to come forward and say I’m prepared to volunteer my time to help support and run a COVID immunization clinic in my community; knowing, by doing that, they are contributing to their collective safety in that community.

A link to the volunteer page is on our website.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.

Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia Dr. Robert Strang. Photo credit Nova Scotia Government

The province has announced the three-phase plan to roll out COVID-19 vaccination across Nova Scotia.

The first phase, which is currently underway, will vaccinate 200,000 people including frontline healthcare workers, staff and residents in long-term care and seniors living in the community beginning with those over 80 years old.

Phase 2 is expected to start in May and will include remaining health-care and essential workers.

Anyone not included in the first two phases will begin receiving vaccinations when Phase 3 gets underway this summer.

Premier Stephen McNeil and the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang praised Nova Scotians for abiding by the public health guidelines over the holidays.

As of Monday, there are 19 active cases in Nova Scotia, including three new cases in the central zone.

Strang says the early indications are looking good, but that praise was tempered with caution as the coronavirus is currently present in every health zone across the province.

He raised concerns about stigmatizing Nova Scotians travelling from other parts of the province, particularly people travelling from Halifax.

“I know there is fear and anxiety out there around COVID-19 and I know that people are trying to keep themselves, their families and communities safe. But I also know that shaming and blaming people does not prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Strang said there is no reason why any Nova Scotian should be turned away or denied service.

“Shaming and blaming creates stigma. It drives people underground and when we drive them underground we lose our ability to work with them and help keep our communities safe, entirely.”

Strang said it’s unrealistic to expect there will be no cases of COVID-19.

But on the plus side, he said by the time the second phase is underway, Nova Scotians can expect 10,000 immunizations will be administered each day.

In the meantime, the chief medical officer of health said everyone must continue to carry on following the health protocols we all know so well including frequent hand washing, wearing a mask and social distancing.

But at the same time, Strang said people must be understanding if they see someone not following the guidelines as no one knows what that person may be going through in their own life.

“We don’t know what other battles and challenges people may be having as they deal with COVID along with all sorts of other issues that we have. So we need to be caring to our neighbours. We need to have compassion for people in our communities, even if they may be a case of COVID or may be identified as a contact, we don’t know their story. And we need to be good to one another. So that’s the energy I’m taking into 2021 and I ask you to do the same: caring, compassion, building up community, not blaming and shaming.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil. Photo: Nova Scotia Government

Nova Scotia’s premier is making his last appearance in the legislature, and he’s none too happy about it.

Premier Stephen McNeil has asked the leaders of the Progressive Conservatives and New Democratic Parties to sit in a virtual session Friday to avoid meeting in a large group during COVID.

McNeil has previously announced he will prorogue the legislature at that sitting. The formality will close the fall session without any legislation being introduced, debated or passed.

The premier expressed his frustration with the other two parties at a press conference following Thursday’s cabinet meeting, accusing them of forcing government to meet in person.

“But I’m going to have to tell people that I have to ignore the public health protocols because the two opposition people think they’re equivalent to health care workers, they’re equivalent to teachers, they’re equivalent to people who have been working their tails off to keep us safe when the very job they do could have easily happened virtually. They have no role tomorrow. The Lieutenant Governor is proroguing it,” said McNeil.

The premier was referring to a letter sent by the NDP, which stated, “Across the province, teachers, nurses, health care workers, public servants, grocery store workers, and others have been going to their workplaces, and we see no reason why MLAs could not be present in the legislature.”

Even with reduced numbers representing all parties, McNeil objects to an in-person sitting of the legislature.

“The very thing I’m asking you to do over the holidays to keep our province safe, by keeping your gatherings at ten, I’m being forced by the opposition to cross the street with more than 15 people. I want you to think about that the next time you go to the polls,” said McNeil. “All the sacrifice you’ve made over the last ten months, all we ask from our elected officials is join you, to be a little courageous, to do things a bit different. But instead they put their own self-interest ahead of yours.”

NDP Leader Gary Burrill said his party isn’t forcing the government to do anything.

“To mischaracterize it as though we were forcing the government to do something that is unsafe, this is entirely a misreading of what we have said, at such a level that, in my judgment, it is manipulative and insincere and untruthful,” said Burrill.

NDP Leader Gary Burrill. Zoom screenshot

PC Leader Tim Houston said no one is asking to violate health orders. It’s clear to him the premier is trying to politicize this final sitting.

“I think what’s happening here,” said Houston, “is the premier is lashing out because he’s embarrassed by his own mismanagement of the whole file.”

By law, the legislature needs to sit twice a year. An early spring session allowed the governing Liberals to pass a budget before the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic set in. But the legislature hasn’t met since then.

House leaders from all three parties have been working since August to find a way to safely return to the legislature.

PC Leader Tim Houston. Zoom screenshot

Houston said his party found out late Tuesday evening McNeil wanted to sit virtually Friday and they began to plan accordingly.

“Now we find out the premier didn’t really have that plan organized, he hadn’t prepared for that, he hadn’t done the work necessary that should’ve been done over the past couple of months.,” said Houston. “And now, if we listen to him, we can’t sit virtually, we don’t know, we’re still waiting for directions.”

Houston said he was going to contact the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang for his recommendation on how many people could be safely present in the legislature.

At dinnertime Thursday Strang responded to the PC leader that he had already given the Lieutenant Governor’s office direction, and that under the current restrictions in the Public Health Order there can be no more than 5 people together in the legislature chamber.

Strang added, because all Nova Scotians are asked to avoid non-essential travel in and out of Halifax until December 21, MLAs should attend the sitting virtually.

Premier McNeil said an archaic rule of law would compel the legislature to meet in person to pass a motion to allow them to meet virtually.

Whether or not select members of all parties will be present at Friday’s sitting, just like the rest of 2020, the final legislative session for McNeil will be memorable.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Dr. Robert Strang and Premier Stephen McNeil announce new COVID restrictions for Christmas. Photo: Nova Scotia Government

Nova Scotia will have new COVID-19 restrictions beginning December 21 but family members will be allowed to visit over the holidays.

Premier Stephen McNeil says while they are relaxing some restrictions to allow relatives to travel, it’s important people still follow COVID protocols.

“You can travel from A to B. Which essentially means, if your family lives in a different community you can go visit your family at Christmas. You can have up to 10 people, total in your gathering,” said McNeil. “When you get there, stay there. We’re doing this because we know how important it is for families to be together at this time.”

Long-term care residents will have their restrictions eased to allow two designated caregivers to visit. Facilities can also allow a limited number of visitors

A number of new restrictions are coming into place.

Social or special events, festivals, arts/cultural events and sports events are all cancelled.

Faith gatherings, wedding ceremonies and funeral services up to a maximum of 150 people outdoors or 100 indoors are allowed but wedding and funeral receptions are not.

People can gather in groups of up to 10 in their homes, including the people who live there.

They can also gather with up to 10 people in a close social group.

Restaurants and licensed establishments must stop service by 10 p.m. and close by 11 p.m.

Fitness and sport and recreation facilities can open but must restrict the number and proximity of participants.

Retail and shopping mall rules currently in place for areas of HRM and Hants County will extend to the entire province, including operating at 25 per cent of their capacity.

A complete list of the new restrictions is available at this link.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says now is not the time to undo all the good work we’ve done just so we can enjoy a holiday they way we are used to.

“We’ll get back there. I’ve said it before, I’d like to have everybody who is here today in Nova Scotia be around next year in Nova Scotia to celebrate Christmas in a different way, to celebrate our holidays in a different way. But to do that, we need to make sure that we’re all safe so we don’t lose people along the way.”

Strang and McNeil were present as the first group of Nova Scotians received the COVID-19 vaccinations in Halifax Wednesday.

Strang said the amount of collaboration that took place to enable this to happen is moving for so many.

“Three weeks ago we weren’t sure how we were going to do the vaccination. We’ve come so far in three weeks. And to see, both in the health system and across government, everybody put up their hand and say what can I do to help?”

Strang reminded people that getting vaccination to every Nova Scotian who wants it will be a long road and COVID restrictions need to be stay in place in the meantime.

He recognizes people are getting tired but he hopes they can take inspiration from the sacrifice of others.

“Think about the healthcare workers in this province who are willing to say, I’m not going to have Christmas with my family like I had planned because I need to be there helping people get immunized. They are there, sacrificing for you. What we are asking the people to follow is not too much to ask given what other people are doing to help you be safe.”

The new restrictions come into effect December 21 and will remain in place until January 10.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr Robert Strang announce extended holiday. Photo: Nova Scotia Government

Christmas is coming early for Nova Scotia students.

Premier Stephen McNeil announced public schools will be closing December 18 and will remain closed until January 11, extending the festive holiday by nine days.

The premier said government is changing the holiday out of an abundance of caution.

“Christmas is coming and we are concerned that as family and friends gather, even in small groups, COVID could show up’ said McNeil. “Just look what happened in some of our western provinces after Thanksgiving weekend. They saw an uptick in cases.”

While students will enjoy an extra week off, school staff will be back January 4 to undergo five days of professional development.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang announced nine new COVID-19 cases bringing the total active number in Nova Scotia to 65.

In the past two days, four cases have been found at The Eden Valley Poultry processing plant in Berwick. Strang announced the plant will be shut for two weeks as a result.

He says the closure is a warning that Nova Scotians can’t let their guard down and relax the precautions they’re taking against spreading the coronavirus.

“Is a stark reminder that we’re not through this yet and things can change very quickly. I know that people are anxious and ready to get back to something a little more normal but moving too quickly away from these restrictions can do the opposite.,” said Strang. “It can put us right back to where we were a month ago and prolong the need for extensive restrictions around COVID.”

Strang says help is on the way in the form of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to arrive in Nova Scotia December 15.

He says public health have been running mock drills to ensure they are prepared to meet the stringent handling requirements of the vaccine.

“It is a complicated operation especially with the Pfizer vaccine, given its unique storage and handling requirements. But I hope people can see by the work that’s gone on that we are absolutely ready to receive vaccine and start administering that,” said Strang.

The premier closed the update by saying the virus moves quickly through communities and tracking it will help chart the course for the province over the next few weeks.

“Movement matters. Where we go, what we do, who we’re with and how we behave. I know how important Christmas is to families, especially those who are spread out across our province. But it is our job to do our best to keep you safe. We will have more to say about this next week.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

New ultra-low temperature freezer will keep vaccine at -70 degrees Celsius. Photo courtesy Nova Scotia Government

Nova Scotia will be receiving the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines next week.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang announced frontline health care workers dealing with COVID-19 in the central zone will be the first to receive the 1,950 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine once it is approved by Health Canada.

“We need to protect and preserve our frontline workers so they are around and can treat, not only those with COVID but everyone else as well,” said Strang.

Each week, beginning December 15, the province expects to receive a supply of the vaccine until it receives its full allotment of 150,000 doses, before the end of March 2021. The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses to be effective which means 75,000 Nova Scotians can be immunized from this supply.

Because the vaccine is delicate and difficult to transport as it must remain at a temperature of -70 Celsius, the focus will be placed on the central zone which currently has the largest number of cases.

The Moderna vaccine, which is expected to be available by the end of the month, is stable at temperatures of -20 Celsius which is consistent with other vaccines.

Strang said Nova Scotia is following the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI) guidance on COVID-19 vaccines. During the first three months of 2021, the focus will be to immunize: long-term care residents and staff, seniors living in the community beginning with those who are over 80 years of age, then people over 75 and then people over 70 and health-care workers directly involved in patient care.

Strang expects more vaccine will be made available by the federal government throughout the year and it may take some time before it can be administered to everyone who wants to be vaccinated.

“And so we’re probably looking at the fall of 2021 before we’re actually finished with the full COVID immunization program and every Nova Scotian has had an opportunity to get COVID vaccine,” said Strang.

The province also announced testing is now available to everyone whether they are showing symptoms or not. To register, go to the Nova Scotia government coronavirus website.

Strang again cautioned people that Christmas will have to look different this year. While he is still recommending against any travel during the holidays, he said if people choose to ignore the recommendation they need to be aware of what restrictions are in place at their destination if they are travelling outside the province as well as what conditions they need to follow when they return.

“We may still have restrictions on travel within the province, that is yet to be determined,” said Strang. “But regardless if we do or not, staying close to home, avoiding non-essential travel out of the province, focusing on small gatherings, small numbers, making sure if you are getting together, try to do it as much as possible with consistent people over time.”

Strang said sacrificing holiday time with loved ones this year will be rewarded in the long run.

“If we have fewer people around our tables this year that means that everyone is going to be here next year to celebrate. I believe that’s a price we’re all willing to pay.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Dr. Robert Strang provides COVID-19 update November 13, 2020. Photo credit Nova Scotia Government

Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health wants people to stay ahead of the pandemic.

At the COVID-19 update Friday, Dr. Robert Strang said a recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the Halifax neighbourhood of Clayton Park has been largely contained because residents followed quarantine protocols.

“Even though it wasn’t perfect, in many of the situations the public health measures were being followed which limited the ability of the virus, even though it was in a family, for instance, to get beyond that,” said Strang. “So, I think it’s important to emphasize that these collective approaches that have kept us safe so far are what will continue to keep us safe.”

Strang said there is nothing to suggest the cluster of cases has led to spread in the broader community. The Nova Scotia Health Authority labs tested 1,260 people for COVID-19 on Thursday and identified two new cases, which are unrelated to the Clayton Park cluster.

Public health determined one case is related to travel outside the Atlantic bubble and that person is self-isolating. Staff is investigating the cause of the second case.

The total number of active cases in Nova Scotia sits at 19 as of Friday.

Strang emphasized the measures in place are working to protect Nova Scotians from the spread of COVID-19. He said wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing and self-isolating, when required, are the tools that will keep the pandemic from flaring up in Nova Scotia as it has done in many other provinces.

“Here in Nova Scotia, it’s not about flattening the curve but it’s actually being out in front of the curve so we don’t have to flatten it. It’s keeping our situation. It’s a preventative measure for us,” said Strang.

He said we have to start thinking now about whether we can maintain that position into the new year.

“In the next six to eight weeks to minimize our social contacts. Decrease the number of people that we are in contact with. Keep our social groups small. Keep our social activities limited and [participate] in safe ways. And when we’re in places where we need to use masks, wear your mask and wear it properly. If you’re not feeling well, just stay home,” said Strang.

The holiday season is quickly approaching and Strang said he will soon be releasing guidelines to malls and stores around how to safely cope with a larger number of shoppers.

He said those retail locations will need to have precautions in place but a safe shopping experience isn’t solely up to them.

“But ultimately this is the responsibility of Nova Scotians. If you’re going into a mall, what are you doing to make sure that you’re keeping physically distant? What are you doing to make sure that unless you have a valid reason to not wear a mask, you’re wearing a mask and wearing it properly?” said Strang. “I don’t want all the responsibility to land on the business operator or the mall operator. There’s equally opportunity for Nova Scotians to take responsibility for their own actions.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Dr. Robert Strang provides COVID-19 update November 9, 2020. Photo credit: Nova Scotia government

Nova Scotia is cracking down on people coming from outside the Atlantic bubble.

From now on, everyone in the home where they are self-isolating will have to self-isolate as well. Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang said nobody in that home can leave the property for 14 days and they cannot have visitors.

“If they choose to do that, it means kids can’t go to school, people cannot go to work, you can’t go shopping, you can’t go to the grocery store.,” said Strang. “That sounds harsh, but it’s necessary.”

Strang explained if you welcome someone who is self-isolating into your home on the 13^th day of their quarantine, their self-isolation would end the next day, but you still have to self-isolate for 14 days.

Strangs said it may sound harsh, but with the second wave of COVID-19 in full force around the country it’s necessary to prevent the spread of the virus by travellers to our province and our fate is in our hands.

“BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, [are] all reporting record numbers of cases. We have to do everything we can do to stop ourselves getting into similar situations. We will get overwhelmed and our healthcare system will get overwhelmed. We will put all of us in substantive risk,” said Strang.

COVID-19 protocols will remain the same for rotational or specialized workers, people who have exceptions to attend a funeral or be with an immediate family member who is nearing end of life, and those that are exempt from self-isolation such as military, police, first responders, truckers, flight crews, and others.

Strang is advising Nova Scotians to avoid non-essential travel into and out of Atlantic Canada. That includes planning to stay within the Atlantic bubble over the Christmas holidays.

“Now is not the time to be thinking, I’m going to get my family, we’re all going to go visit our cousins or aunt and uncle in Toronto for Christmas. Stay put. Celebrate with your family and friends that are already here in the bubble and then maybe you’ll wait until COVID is gone before you think about those non-essential travel with friends and relatives in other parts of the country or in other parts of the globe,” said Strang.

The chief medical officer of health said he is already having discussions with his team about possibly tightening up restrictions that had been eased off after the first wave of COVID had passed.

Strang said Nova Scotians must recommit to the efforts that were made to minimize the impact of COVID-19, that includes tighten up our bubbles and paying closer attention to social distancing requirements.

“Now is the time for all of us to start too reduce our social activities and start to restrict social activities to people that are in our household or close social bubble,” said Strang.

He says people should stick to one social bubble of no more than 10 people.

Since the last briefing on November 3 the province has announced 15 new cases of COVID-19 which brings the total number of active cases in Nova Scotia to 16.

As the number of cases across the country skyrocket and Nova Scotian COVID cases on the rise, Dr. Strang warns it’s up to all of us to take action.

“We are at a tipping point tight now, here in Nova Scotia. I’ve had a very anxious weekend,” said Strang. “We are at a critical tipping point that we all need to pay attention to. If you didn’t pay attention after our briefing last week, you need to sit up and pay attention now. We all need to make changes if we are going to change our trajectory.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang provide a COVID-19 update. Photo credit: Nova Scotia government

The province’s top doctor is reminding Nova Scotians if they want to enjoy the Christmas season with friends and family they need to keep their guard up.

At a COVID-19 briefing Tuesday, chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang said the number of COVID-19 cases has been creeping up over the past week in Nova Scotia and other provinces are experiencing record-high infections.

“Right now we need to focus on the next two months,” said Strang. “The things we do now will have a direct impact on what we’ll be able to do safely as we enter the holiday season. The next few weeks are critically important.”

Strang understands as Nova Scotians approach the ninth month of dealing with COVID-19 people are getting tired. He said everyone needs to continue to think of protecting others by following the established safety protocols including: frequent hand washing, social distancing and wearing masks.

“So if you can wear a mask, wear one. Do not look for loopholes and don’t make false claims. You’re putting yourself and everyone else at risk with this kind of self-centered behavior,” said Strang.

Strang says our province needs to continue doing the things we’ve been doing which have kept the worst of the pandemic at bay.

Nova Scotia has had 12 new cases of COVID-19 since last week’s update. The province announced one new case Tuesday in the Northern Zone, bringing the total number of active COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia to 16.

Strang made his plea for continued vigilance just hours after the province announced they will allocate $5.5 million of federal funding from the Safe Return to Class Fund to gradually open school gyms to community groups for physical activity and sports.

That funding will allow schools to pay for the extra cleaning necessary to open gyms and washrooms to the public outside of school hours.

Premier Stephen McNeil joined Dr. Strang in calling on Nova Scotians to stay alert to the dangers of COVID-19.

“We are heading into the flu season. Winter is coming which will force us indoors. I know we’re tired. We’re coming into the ninth month of dealing with COVID. I understand you’re fed up, but we can’t let our guard down,” said McNeil.

The premier said by working together, Nova Scotians have managed to keep the coronavirus mostly contained. To keep each other safe, everyone must continue to follow the safety protocols.

“And if we don’t just look around the country or look across the border. The evidence is clear,” said McNeil. “There’s a reason cases are on the rise. COVID likes when you don’t wear a mask. COVID likes when you gather in groups. COVID likes to be ignored because then it finds a way in. And once it’s in, it is hard to get out.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Photo credit: Ed Halverson

Kids trick or treating during COVID-19 have more to think about than finding the house giving out the full-size chocolate bars.

Nova Scotia’s department of public health has released detailed guidelines to enjoy a safe Halloween.

Many of the rules are already familiar such as don’t go out if you are unwell, trick or treat with no more than 10 people from your close family or social group and maintain social distance between groups.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang saidone of the most important things to remember is to keep hands clean and watch where they go.

“We’re recommending instead of putting your hand on a doorknob or a doorbell, a light rap with your knuckles on the door. Both for kids getting treats and people giving out treats, we don’t want multiple hands going in a common bowl, so if you’re using a common bowl, use a pair of tongs or put out individual servings,” said Strang. “It’s important that we don’t have lots of hands going in the same place.”

Strang also says people should avoid trick or treating indoors but to wear a non-medical mask if you do.

The province’s chief medical officer of health is reminding kids to bring hand sanitizer to use often while they are out and to wash hands well before eating any candy.

COVID-19 isn’t the only concern people need to be aware of, and RCMP also released their Halloween safety guidelines.

They suggest a costume that is visible in the dark and to ensure any masks don’t obstruct a child’s vision.

Children trick or treating without an adult should have a set route planned and go with a buddy.

RCMP are advising drivers try to avoid residential areas, but if they must, they should plan a little more time for their route and drive slowly.

Dr. Strang reminds any adults planning to participate in Halloween parties that the regular gathering limits are still in place.

No more than 10 people can gather in a home, 50 people can physically distance at community events if they can maintain two metres distance and up to 200 can congregate at recognized businesses if social distancing rules can be met.

“A reminder that non-medical masks are required in indoor public places and Halloween masks don’t count unless it is a noon-medical mask that is covering your nose and mouth. And even if you’ve got great plans, if you’re feeling unwell stay the blazes home,” said Strang.

The full list of COVID-19 Halloween safety guidelines is available at this link.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang COVID-19 briefing October 28, 2020. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

Nova Scotians can now book their COVID-19 tests online.

Premier Stephen McNeil and Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang, made the announcement at Wednesday’s COVID-19 update.

Previously, after completing an online assessment, anyone needing a test would have to call and leave a message with a scheduler then wait for a call back to book an appointment.

Dr. Strang said the new system streamlines that process.

“Moving it to online as part of this bigger project, like everything else, it just makes it faster. You can go in there, you don’t have to wait to get a call back. You don’t have to wait online for somebody. You can just make your own appointment. It’s much faster and efficient,” said Strang.

Anyone getting tested in the Central Zone or at the IWK Health Centre will have access to online booking immediately. People living in the Northern, Western which includes Queens County) and Eastern Zones can expect to have access to the new system by the second week of November.

In the two weeks since the last COVID-19 update on October 14, the province has had 10 new positive cases of the coronavirus. Nine of those were related to travel outside the Atlantic provinces and one was a close contact with one of the travellers.

Currently there are five active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia and to date, the province has had 1,102 positive cases and 65 deaths.

Following up on Tuesday’s announcement from the province that international students will be permitted to return to post-secondary and language schools, Dr. Strang said the schools must make those students aware of the travel and quarantine restrictions before they set foot on a plane for Canada.

“Once they get here they are required to self-isolate for 14 days and the institutions must have a detailed protocol in place to support those students all the way from getting them from the airport to either a hotel or another living arrangement and then to monitor and support them in that 14 day quarantine,” said Strang.

Unlike when university students arrived in the fall, the international students will not need to undergo a mandatory three COVID-19 tests during their two-week isolation.

Dr. Strang said because the number of international students is much smaller and they will be arriving over a longer period of time the risk is far less than the thousands of students arriving at one time in September.

“We didn’t feel that it was necessary to supplement quarantining with testing,” said Strang. “The most important thing and what minimizes the risk of any transmission, is adherence to the quarantine.”

Dr. Strang said public health officials, working alongside the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will allow private school from grades kindergarten to 12 to bring in international students under the same guidelines.

However, he did not say when or if international students would be permitted to return to public schools this year.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang provide COVID-19 update October 6, 2020

Nova Scotia is increasing its COVID-19 testing capacity.

Premier Stephen McNeil says several steps are involved including:

• increasing the lab capacity in Halifax to process 2,500 tests per day
• adding equipment in Sydney so tests in the northern part of the province can be tested locally instead of sending them to Halifax
• moving most of the primary testing centres to larger locations while increasing their hours and staff to speed up the testing process.

McNeil says any excess capacity not being used by Nova Scotians will be offered to neighbouring provinces.

“This is just the next phase of working with the national government to increase the number of testing opportunities in our province. And if they’re not needed here we’ll certainly make them available to the rest of the country,” said the premier.

The IWK Health Centre will also expand to double the capacity in its assessment centre.

Beginning October 7, the IWK will also start using a gargle test to diagnose COVID-19 in children ages 4 – 18.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says he’s been hearing from people asking why, when our numbers are so low, we can’t begin to relax some of the restrictions around COVID-19.

Strang says it’s those measures, the hand hygiene, social distancing and 14-day quarantines, which have kept the numbers so low and we need to maintain them.

He reminded Nova Scotians this is not the time to be complacent.

“We’re seeing the second wave in other parts of the country and that second wave is worse because the challenges of controlling large numbers of COVID while keeping things open as much as possible,” said Strang.

He says it’s much easier to control COVID if you have everything locked down.

“And they may have to go there in some of those other parts of Canada,” said Strang. “We’re trying to avoid being in that situation in the first place.”

With Thanksgiving on the horizon this weekend, Strang reminded people their celebrations may have to look a bit different this year.

“So you’re going to have to find ways to have small groups having Thanksgiving dinner together. And if that means a large family has to divide up and have different groups having different meals, I regret that that that’s going to be necessary,” said Strang. “But we can’t relax the rules just for Thanksgiving ‘cause we may well see the impact of this in two weeks if we’re not careful.”

Strang says the current limit is no more than ten people in a close social group without distancing and anyone who is exhibiting any symptoms of COVID should stay away from groups.

He says hosts will have more to think about including frequently cleaning of high touch surfaces like door handles and taking extra precautions in the handling of food.

“It’s important that we don’t have buffet-style service with lots of hands, each touching the same serving utensils. We would ask to have one person designated as a server, serving out individual plates and then passing those plates around, rather than passing around bowls and platters where lots of hands go on those,” said Strang.

Premier McNeil closed the briefing by recognizing that mask fatigue is setting in for some Nova Scotians and we need to continue to follow the public health protocols.

“We can not let our guard down. CODID is relentless and it thrives, quite frankly, on ignorance and arrogance,” said McNeil. “There’s no reason for anyone to be ignorant of this disease, we’ve now been dealing with for eight months and these public health protocols in front of us. And arrogance is not a way Nova Scotians react to anything.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson