Nova Scotia increases public gathering limit
HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia government has increased the number for public gatherings to 10 people under COVID19 public health restrictions.
The previous maximum was five people.
Physical distancing of two metres or six feet is still required, except among members of the same household or family household bubble, the provincial Health Department said in a news release.
The limit is the same indoors and outdoors, with an exception for outdoor weddings and funeral services, which can have 15 people.
The gathering limit applies to social gatherings, arts and culture activities such as theatre performances and dance recitals, faith gatherings and sports and physical activity.
“Nova Scotians have done the hard work to flatten our curve and with that, we will soon be getting back to work, eating in restaurants, getting back to the gym and getting haircuts,” said Premier Stephen Mcneil in the release.
“This next step to allow people to gather in slightly larger groups is good for our mental health and wellbeing.”
Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer of health, said as we create more opportunities for normal life, “it's important that we all continue to take protective measures like good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and staying home if you're sick. It's also important for people to think about their own health and circumstances in order to make good decisions about the activities they choose to do.”
The new gathering limit also applies to businesses whose main function is gatherings, such as theatres, concerts, festivals and sporting activities, and to businesses that are too small to ensure physical distancing.
At a news conference Friday, Strang said if things go well, the gathering limit might be increased to 50 by the end of summer. But it's not likely Nova Scotia will allow public gatherings into the hundreds this year given that Strang has repeatedly said such numbers, particularly indoors, would present high risks for COVID transmission.
The province also announced Friday that private campgrounds will be open to everyone effective June 5. They can only operate at 50 per cent capacity and must ensure public health protocols are followed, including adequate distance between campsites.
Previously only seasonal camping with fixed recreational vehicle campsites that don't require the use of onsite amenities such as washroom facilities and stores were permitted.
Provincial campgrounds will open to Nova Scotians on June 15, with the reservation line opening June 8.
The province said public pools can start maintenance work to prepare for reopening, likely in time for summer, but sleepover camps won't be permitted this year.
At the news conference, both Strang and the premier noted the frustration among parents that daycares won't open until at least June 15.
Strang said the sector's reopening proposal lacked sufficient detail to be confident that public health risks would be addressed.
“Obviously we wanted the daycare centres and the economy … to reopen at the same time,” the premier said. “But when public health comes to me and says the plan is not ready and they need another week, why would I go against that? That is about the safety of our children. Too many provinces have opened their daycares too soon and look what's happened in those provinces.”
The Nova Scotia NDP has created a petition calling on the province to pay for sick leave for workers who don't have it, given the risks of going to work ill and the delay in the daycares opening.
Mcneil said he and other premiers have asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for federal help with sick leave payments related to COVID19 absences.
“We also said this was not health-care funding, this was a funding program that the national government should put together on COVID alone. ….
“If there were other sectors looking for sick days from the province, they would continue to negotiate that at the bargaining table. I don't think anybody wants me to negotiate in public, every union I know in the province doesn't want me to negotiate in public and I won't.”
Earlier Friday, Nova Scotia took a big symbolic step in the COVID-19 pandemic Friday with the report that no new cases had been identified in the latest tests.
The zero-result landmark was reached Thursday after QEII Health Sciences Centre's microbiology lab completed 1,034 tests, the Health Department said in a news release.