N.S. eases restrictions, but recommends masks

‘Don’t think of it as a task. WWWhen in doubt, wear a mask,’ premier says

HALIFAX—The Nova Scotia government is moving ahead with plans to further reopen the province now that it hasn’t reported a case of COVID-19 in the past 17 days. However, Premier Stephen McNeil warned Friday that with limits being raised on how many people can gather at bars, restaurants and organized events, the risk of a resurgence ee in infections was also increasing. As a result, the province has issued an emphatic recommendation for residents to wear non-medical masks when physical distancing among strangers becomes difficult. McNeil said Nova Scotians must get in the habit of wearing mma mask, noting that he has had to change his own habits. “Even when I saw others wearing them, I didn’t always ww wear one myself,” he told a vir- ww tual news conference. “I’ve had tt to rethink this and do a bit of soul-searching. After all, when someone is wearing a mask, they are protecting me and others. So I need to do the same for them.” The premier then offered a slogan of sorts to promote the use of masks. “Don’t think of it as a task. When in doubt, wear a mask.” The province’s previous advice was to ask residents to “consider” wearing a mask when physical distancing

couldn’t be maintained. But the province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Robert Strang, said he wants to “normalize” the wearing of masks to reduce tt the inherent risks that come t with allowing larger gatherings. As examples, Strang said masks should be worn when entering grocery stores or malls, using public transit or at public gatherings with limited space. “Wearing a mask is a way of showing that we care about other people,” he said. Meanwhile, the province announced Friday that all bars and restaurants will be allowed aa to operate at full capacity and continue serving until midnight, effective immediately. However, that change assumes establishments will continue to adhere to physical-distancing rules, which has required bars and restaurants to qq create more space for patrons by moving chairs and tables farther apart. The province is also allowing private campgrounds to operate at 100 per cent capacity, and aa all public pools can reopen with a physical distancing for lane swimming and aquafit classes. As of next Friday, Nova Scotia will increase the limits on gath- ww erings organized by recognized business or community organizations. That includes weddings, funerals, cultural events, concerts, festivals, dance recitals and faith-based gatherings, which will increase to 250 peo- ww ple if they are outdoors and 200 — with maximum 50 per cent capacity — if they are indoors. In either case, physical distancing is still required.