N.S. Government Says Next Reopening Stage Won’t Happen Before June 16
HALIFAX – Don’t expect the next phase of reopening to come any sooner.
At Wednesday’s Covid-19 briefing, Premier Iain Rankin and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang said they don’t intend to move up the June 16 Phase 2 start date.
Dr. Strang said it’s already moving faster than the federal recommendation.
“The Public Health Agency of Canada, all along, has said provinces should base things at least on three weeks,” he said. “We’ve chosen two weeks because we believe the progress on our vaccine allows us to be that aggressive.”
Dr. Strang said they’re comfortable with the current speed of the rollout.
He said they may consider a shorter timeframe between later phases.
“But we need that minimum of two weeks, especially in these early first phases, as we start to open up,” he said. “It gives us time to make sure that our vaccine program is rolling out well.”
Phase 2 includes things like in-restaurant dining, higher capacity at stores, and indoor gathering limits up to 10 people without physical distancing and masks.
Jack Morse is a reporter with CKHZ 103.5 in Halifax, a Huddle content partner.