Premier: First doses by end of June

Nova Scotia hopes to have first doses of COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of all Nova Scotians by the end of June.

Canada's national vaccine advisory body said Thursday that the interval between the first and second vaccines can be lengthened, which will make much more vaccine available to the province.

Premier Iain Rankin said he's had preliminary discussions with Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, on fasttracking the immunizaiton schedule.

"It does logically follow that we ... wouldn't have to hold back the second dose so we should be able to get every Nova Scotian their first dose by the end of June," Rankin said at a news conference Thursday.

This is a change from the previous target of having 70 per cent of Nova Scotians immunized by the end of

September.

Rankin and Strang will hold a COVID-19 briefing Friday with more details on the fasttracked schedule.

RESTRICTIONS EASE IN HRM

Nova Scotia has lifted or changed most COVID-19 restrictions in Halifax Regional Municipality and its neighbouring communities.

Many restrictions that came into effect Feb. 27, such as restaurant hours, sport competitions, culture performances and non-essential travel, will end Friday at 8 a.m.

"Last week we were worried about increased case numbers in Halifax but what we are seeing this week warrants lifting some restrictions early," said Premier Iain Rankin in a news release.

"I know that restrictions can have a significant impact on businesses but safety is always the first priority, and I want to thank Nova Scotians for following public health advice as that has allowed us to ease them earlier. Thank you for doing your part to keep yourself, your family and your communities safe."

The following activities will be allowed:

• travel in and out of HRM and surrounding municipalities

• participants and officials in performing arts and sports (recreational, amateur and professional) can gather in groups of up to 60 people without social distancing for rehearsals, performances, practices and regular competitive schedule

• spectators at performing arts and sports will be allowed as long as the host facilities have a gathering plan

• the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will reopen public school gyms for after-school use on March 6

• restaurants and bars will return to previous dine-in service requirements, with service stopped by 10 p.m. and close by 11 p.m.

• weddings and funerals in a faith facility or funeral homes can have 150 people outdoors or 50 per cent of capacity to a maximum of 100 indoors. Receptions and visitations continue to be not permitted in HRM and surrounding municipalities

Unchanged is the requirement for residents of long-term care facilities to only have visits from their two designated caregivers. As well, residents can only leave the facility for medical appointments or for a drive with a designated caregiver. These restrictions remain in

effect until March 27 in HRM and surrounding municipalities.

"Thank you to all the Nova Scotians who turned out for testing over the past week," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health. "These record numbers helped give us a bigger picture of the virus in HRM and elsewhere in the province. It was critical to this decision."

The premier and Strang will address the easing of restrictions in more detail at Friday's COVID-19 briefing.

The HRM restrictions apply to the suburban and urban areas of Halifax, including Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, Cole Harbour, Eastern Passage, Middle Porters Lake, Fall River, Enfield, Lantz, Hammonds Plains, Herring Cove, the Prestons, Lake Echo, Timberlea, Tantallon, Mount Uniacke and St. Margarets Bay.

NEW CENTRAL ZONE CASES

Three new cases of COVID-19 were reported Thursday in the central health zone.

Two are close contacts of previously reported cases and the other case is under investigation.

The number of active cases is down one compared to yesterday at 29 but there is one more person in the hospital for a total of five. Two of those people are in intensive care.

Of the active cases, 21 are in the central zone, four in the eastern zone, three in the northern zone and one in the western zone.

"We continue to see new COVID-19 cases every day. So, it's very apparent the virus is still in our communities," the premier said in a news release.

"Let's continue to be vigilant. Let's keep doing what we have been doing so well to keep the virus under control, such as following our public health measures."

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 6,551 Nova Scotia tests on Wednesday.

There have been 37,590 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered. Of those, 14,219 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

"I'm pleased to see our efforts to contain the virus continue to work and our case numbers are remaining low," Strang said.

"We need to continue to be cautious and keep each other safe by adhering to the gathering limits, keeping a consistent social group, washing your hands, staying home if you are feeling unwell and self-isolating if required."

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 233,511 tests. There have been 560 positive COVID-19 cases and 531 resolved cases.