Dr Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s medical director of health, announced today, July 4, that Nova Scotia will remove all remaining COVID-19 restrictions in the community on Wednesday, July 6.
Most restrictions in high-risk environments will remain in place.
“It simply came to our notice then. While we expect to see smaller waves of COVID-19 variants over the summer, our high vaccine coverage and low risk of serious illness from Omicron variants make it manageable as we learn to live with COVID- 19. That’s why we’re removing the remaining COVID-19 restrictions for the general public, ”Dr. Strang said.“ The pandemic is not over. But the new Scots have the tools and resources to make the right decisions to keep each other safe. “
From 12:01 on Wednesday 6 July:
Isolation
- isolation goes from mandatory to highly recommended for people who test positive for COVID-19
- it is also recommended that people who have symptoms such as cough, sore throat or fever be isolated until they feel better.
- it is still important for people with symptoms to avoid high-risk environments and people at higher risk
- If a workplace has stricter occupational health policies than general public health recommendations, such as mandatory isolation or masking requirements, people should continue to follow these policies.
Masks
- it will go from highly recommended to optional
- Masks are still highly recommended for sick people or in a crowded indoor environment
- For people who have symptoms of COVID-19 but cannot isolate themselves, it is strongly recommended that they wear a well-fitting mask to indoor public places, public transportation, and crowded areas.
- it is everyone’s decision whether to wear a mask, weighing their risk and comfort factors and those of the people around them.
Try it
- people with symptoms will still have access to COVID-19 testing at testing centers across the province
- people with symptoms who are in a low-risk category in their self-assessment will only have access to rapid tests and will not receive a PCR test whether they are positive or not in a rapid test.
- People at higher risk and those who work or live in higher-risk congregated settings still have access to PCR testing, and it is still recommended.
- Nova Scotia will no longer offer tests for those who have no symptoms of COVID-19
- Rapid tests will continue to be available for collection in public libraries and MLA offices, but sick people should not go.
Long-term care, Corrections, Shelters and Transition Homes
- to align with hospital policy, designated caregivers and visitors will no longer need vaccination tests to visit them
- designated caregivers and visitors may remove masks when visiting a private or outdoor area
- Seven-day isolation for residents who test positive for COVID-19 remains required.
In July, Nova Scotia will move to a monthly COVID-19 report, which will be published online. The report will be made on the 15th of each month and reflects the epidemiology of COVID-19 in the province of the previous month. The first monthly report will be for June and will be available on July 15th. The COVID-19 control panel will continue to be updated weekly.
Brief details:
- the Compulsory Vaccination Protocol against COVID-19 in high-risk environments remains in force
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