Non-Medical Masks Will Be Mandatory In Most Indoor Public Spaces In Nova Scotia

HALIFAX—Nova Scotians will soon be required to wear masks almost any time they’re inside in public.

Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer of health, made the announcement at a press briefing Friday.

The order will go into effect July 31 and will make wearing a mask “mandatory in most indoor public places” in the province.

The list of public places where masks will be required is long, and includes retail businesses, shopping centres, salons and spas, restaurants and bars, gyms, common areas in public offices, and a host of other spaces.

Speaking about the new rule today, Strang said mask-wearing is a part of a package of public health measures that will help reduce the spread of Covid-19.

“It is our best chance to keep our communities and economies as open as possible as we move into the fall and the possibility of a second wave of Covid-19,” Strang said.

McNeil echoed Strang’s sentiments.

“We all need to be open to wearing a non-medical mask in most indoor public places. This is how we can protect each other and support our local businesses as we learn to live with Covid-19,” the premier said.

Strang also clarified how the new rules will work in specific situations. In restaurants, for example, patrons will be required to wear a mask when they’re waiting for a table, going to the bathroom, and walking to their seats, but not when they’re eating or drinking.

In barbershops or other businesses where customers might get procedures done on or near their face, they will be allowed to remove their masks for the specific procedure but will have to put it back on immediately afterward.

There are also exemptions to the rule for young children and rare cases where health reasons prevent a person from wearing a mask.

Strang said that the rules may seem complicated, but that following a simple rule of thumb will in most cases be enough.

“All you really have to remember is when in doubt, wear a mask,” Strang said.

Patrick Sullivan, the CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, told Huddle today he is “enthusiastic” about the news.

He said the rules should help to further reduce the potential spread of Covid-19, which means a better chance of Nova Scotia being opened to the rest of Canada.

Sullivan said the tourism industry “desperately needs” the extra visitors that open Canadian borders will encourage. He said he’s encouraged that places like movie theatres and event spaces might now be able to bring in more people.

“This should actually give business owners more confidence, not less. We’re still seeing that people are hesitant to go out, and I think this should give people more confidence that it is safe,” he said.