Nova Scotia Will Open Atlantic Bubble June 23
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia will lift its border restrictions to the rest of Atlantic Canada on June 23.
This means that residents of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador can travel to Nova Scotia without having to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
The “Atlantic Bubble” has been closed since late last year when the third wave of Covid-19 saw cases in the region spike. Case counts in Atlantic Canada have since dropped significantly. June 15, Nova Scotia recorded 4 new cases, putting its total active caseload at 97.
“Our case numbers and hospitalizations are low and every day we are putting more and more vaccines into the arms of Nova Scotians,” said Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin in a news release. “Low case numbers across the Atlantic provinces are a signal that reopening to our neighbours is the right step.”
“The epidemiology across the region is showing similar numbers, which allows us to ease the border restrictions,” said Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s top doctor. “We will be watching the situation closely; however, as we have done before, we will move quickly if we see case numbers on the rise.”
According to Nova Scotia’s reopening plan, the province could also open borders to the rest of Canada as early as July 14, as long as Covid-19 cases continue to stay low.
Along with opening borders, Nova Scotia will also enter Phase 2 of its reopening plan on June 16.
As part of the province’s phased-in reopening plan, testing for Covid-19 has been ramped up, including at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Nova Scotia’s testing regime, which includes asymptomatic testing, has been key to controlling the virus and fighting the recent third wave.
Phase 2 includes more easing of restrictions, including increasing informal gathering limits to 25 people outside and 10 people inside.
Restaurants can open to patrons for indoor dining with a maximum of 10 people per table. All retail businesses can open to 50 percent capacity with public health protocols being followed, and gyms and fitness facilities can also operate at 50 percent capacity.
More information on reopening is available here.