Nova Scotia has announced it will lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday.
Dr Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s medical director of health, made the announcement in a press release on Monday.
“This is the right time. While we expect to see smaller waves of COVID-19 variants over the summer, our high vaccine coverage and low risk of serious disease from Omicron variants make it manageable as we go. that we learn to live with COVID-19 “. Strang said in the statement.
“The pandemic is not over. But the new Scots have the tools and resources to make the right decisions to stay safe.”
The statement said from Wednesday that isolation will be “strongly recommended”, but not mandatory, for people who test positive for COVID-19. Isolation will still be recommended for people who have symptoms such as cough, sore throat, or fever until they feel better.
Sick people are still being asked to avoid high-risk spaces and people at higher risk.
Masks will also be optional, but will continue to be recommended in crowded indoor spaces, including public transportation, and for sick people, especially those who cannot be isolated.
Most restrictions in high-risk environments will be maintained.
Long-term care homes, correctional facilities, shelters, and transition homes will maintain a seven-day isolation period for residents who test positive for COVID-19.
However, designated caregivers and visitors will no longer need proof of vaccination to visit them.
They will also be allowed to remove masks when visiting private spaces or outdoors. The province said this is in line with current policy on hospitals.
Availability test
The statement said COVID-19 testing will still be available for people with symptoms.
People who are considered most at risk and those who work or live in high-risk environments will have access to PCR testing, and it is still recommended.
However, people with low-risk symptoms will only have access to quick tests, which are still available for collection in public libraries and MLA offices.
The statement said asymptomatic tests will no longer be available.