Bars And Barbershops Amoung Businesses To Close In N.S.
HALIFAX – Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has announced more mandatory business closures, which will take effect Thursday at midnight. During Wednesday’s coronavirus update to the media, McNeil said fitness centres, hair salons, and similar establishments will have to shut down indefinitely.
“It’s important that everyone continues to do everything possible to keep our loved ones, our neighbours, and the most vulnerable in our communities, safe,” said McNeil, during the government’s press conference.
“So, effective midnight Thursday, personal services, fitness establishments such as barbershops, hair salons, spas, body art establishments, and gyms, must shutdown.”
This announcement came only a day after the provincial government-mandated all drinking establishments to close and for restaurants to only operate take out and delivery. Those changes will also take effect on Thursday.
McNeil credited businesses for voluntarily implementing social distancing rules on their own, but said mandatory closures was a necessary step.
“We were also seeing some of the services we talked about; for example, barbershops…they were using social distancing where they were reducing the number of people that were coming in over the last number of weeks siting in their waiting room area,” said the Premier.
“…this was the next phase for us to say these businesses must close, because we want people at home, in their own property, staying with their family. That’s one of the ways we will prevent this spread.”
McNeil warned that the government will be evaluating the COVID-19 virus spreads, and more businesses may need to close. At the press conference, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang, reported that there are now 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
“Don’t be surprised if each day, (or) two days, we identity another sector of our economy that is going to have to close,” said McNeil.
During the press conference, McNeil was challenged on why liquor stores remain open, while other non-essential businesses must lock their doors. The Premier responded that liquor stores don’t see large numbers of people congregating in their shops.
“We will continue to analyze those…it’s not a place that we would see large numbers that are showing up at them,” said McNeil.
“If we find that this is a public health issue, in terms of spreading the virus, then we will take further steps.”
Prince Edward Island has already announced its liquor and cannabis stores will close Thursday. New Brunswick’s stores remain open.
On Wednesday the government also announced some more steps to protect people at the workplace. Minister of Health and Wellness, Randy Delorey, said no employer will be allowed to require sick notes from employees.
Delorey also announced new measures to add more nurses and doctors to the workforce, including waiving fees for retired physicians to get their medical license again.