HRM, Hants restaurants, bars can reopen Jan. 4

There was good news to end the year for restaurants and bars in Halifax and Hants County as the province announced they'll be allowed to reopen for dine-in services next week.

"Given low case numbers over the holidays, restaurants and licensed establishments in areas of Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants County can reopen for dine-in service starting Jan. 4," the Health Department said in a news release Thursday.

"They must follow the provincewide restrictions, including ending service by 10 p.m. and closing by 11 p.m. They can continue takeout and delivery service with no restrictions. The Halifax casino and VLTS remain closed."

Also Thursday, the province reported three new cases of COVID-19, all in the central health zone. One is a close contact of a previously reported case and two are related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada.

But the number of active cases dropped by three to 22 as more people recover from the virus.

"Tonight would normally be a time to get together in large groups for a countdown and celebration. We cannot do that this year because we know how important it is to keep our gatherings small and follow all the other public health protocols," said Premier Stephen Mcneil in the release.

"As you look forward to 2021, remember the strength, kindness and love that got you through this difficult year and carry it over into the new year. We can all have a sense of hope with the COVID-19 vaccines coming online. I wish all Nova Scotians a safe, healthy and happy new year."

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 2,203 Nova Scotia tests on Wednesday. There were 736 tests administered between Dec. 29 and 30 at rapid-testing popup sites in Halifax.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 113,560 tests. There have been 397 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. One person is currently in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70.

"It's good that our case numbers continue to be relatively low but we can't let down our guard, especially tonight when many people would normally have a party," said Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, in the release.

"Let's keep our gatherings small or virtual as we celebrate all we've accomplished together in 2020. I wish all Nova Scotians a happy new year and ask for your continued help to accomplish even more in 2021."

Public health guidance for holidays and celebrations can be found here.

No COVID-19 data updates or news releases will be issued Jan. 1 to Jan. 3 except in unusual circumstances, the province said Thursday. An update will be issued Jan. 4.

POTENTIAL EXPOSURES

The Health Department issued an advisory Thursday evening about potential COVID-19 exposures on four recent airline flights.

Anyone who was on the following flights in the specified row and seats is asked to continue to self-isolate and immediately visit https:// covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to book a COVID19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. You can also call 811 if you don't have online access or if you have other symptoms that concern you.

All other passengers on these flights should continue to self-isolate as required and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19:

• Westjet flight 248 travelling on Dec. 23 from Toronto (9:00 a.m.) to Halifax (12:00 p.m.) with attention to rows 8-14 in seats A, B, C and D. Watch for symptoms up to and including Jan. 6.

• Westjet flight 248 travelling on Dec. 27 from Toronto (10:00 a.m.) to Halifax (12:30 p.m.) with attention to rows 1-4 in seats A, C and D. Watch for symptoms up to and including Jan. 10.

• Air Canada flight 624 travelling on Dec. 27 from Toronto (9:00 p.m.) to Halifax on Dec. 28 (2:00 a.m.) with attention to rows 15-21 in seats C, D, E and F and rows 1-4 in seats A, C, and D. Watch for symptoms up to and including Jan. 11.

• Air Canada flight 604 travelling on Dec. 29 from Toronto (8:00 a.m.) to Halifax (11:30 a.m.) with attention to rows 16-22 in seats A, B, C and D. Watch for symptoms up to and including Jan. 12.

Out of an abundance of caution and given the current testing capacity available, anyone who worked or visited the following location on the specified date and time is asked to visit to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. If you do have symptoms of COVID-19 you are required to self-isolate while you wait for your test result. If you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19 you do not need to self-isolate while you wait for your test result:

• Mic Mac Mall (21 Mic Mac Blvd, Dartmouth) on Dec. 19 between 12:30 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, Jan. 2, 2021.