Relaxing the rules

Largely unnoticed last Friday, in the vast sense of relief at the easing of some of the province’s COVID-19 restrictions, was the extension by the government of its state of emergency.

The state was extended until May 17, giving the province the right to tighten things back up again if the case count spikes. Nova Scotians can anticipate further easing of restrictions in two weeks, as long as we behave.

The evidence for that is mixed. Fine weather on Sunday attracted crowds to the province’s parks and open spaces, but there were reports of both small groups staying two metres apart and of large groups of people getting too close to each other.

Instances of broaching social distancing rules are inevitable, but we must guard against them becoming the norm. We have to do our best to manage the risk of further infection. It would be a shame to go through seven weeks of a lockdown, only to have to roll back because people were careless.

All provinces are going about this process differently in what amounts to a vast social experiment. Our Atlantic neighbours, which have been far less affected than Nova Scotia, are going a bit farther.

New Brunswick and P.E.I. are talking about allowing travel between the two provinces. Newfoundland and Labrador is tentatively set to re-open some businesses next week, such as legal and accounting firms. Funeral gatherings will be allowed for up to 10 attendees, and some medical procedures will be allowed.

Quebec, hit hardest among the provinces, plans to open elementary schools on May 11. No other province appears to be considering re-opening schools.

In a glimpse of the near future, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he doesn’t know if he can hold back the annual flood of cottagers from the cities to the Muskoka region and other vacation areas. With the weather finally warming up and the Victoria Day weekend approaching, it’s an issue he’ll have to confront very soon.

Not long after that, provinces will have to decide whether to allow out-of-province travellers to make their annual treks to beaches, campsites and vacation properties. Nova Scotia, in particular, depends on these visitors for its tourism industry.

The province says it is developing a plan to phase in further lifting of restrictions. Each stage will depend on the progress we make along the way.

As it has from the beginning, it all depends on our willingness to stick with what has worked so far. Even as we’re venturing from home, keep your distance, avoid large groups and wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.