N.S. Premier ‘Won’t Think Twice’ About Shutting Down Economy If Covid-19 Spread Continues
HALIFAX — Premier Stephen McNeil says he “won’t think twice about shutting down the economy again” if Covid-19 continues to spread in Nova Scotia.
The premier made the statement today as his government admitted Nova Scotia is experiencing community spread of Covid-19 in metro Halifax.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said health officials haven’t been able to identify the cause of at least seven of the province’s current cases.
“This is very concerning and an important turn of events for us here in Nova Scotia,” Strang said. “We’re at the beginning of the second wave.”
Since Friday, the province has announced 15 new cases of Covid-19. Strang pointed out that, in September, there were a total of three new cases in the province. In October, there were 23. So far this month there have been 42.
“That’s a trajectory we can’t continue to follow,” Strang said.
Today, the province announced five new Covid-19 cases, including two in metro-area schools.
Worried parents have begun pulling their children out of school in response but Strang said he is confident in the plans the province has put in place to deal with this issue.
He said everyone who shared classes or busses with Covid-positive students has been directly contacted by public health and that anyone who hasn’t been contacted can safely attend school.
“This is not unexpected. It’s not a surprise,” he said, pointing out that the government has been “working since the summer” to prepare for this exact situation.
In total, Strang said nine teachers and more than 50 students are isolating between the two schools.
The two school-related cases came through adults connected to the sprawling professional and social networks impacted by the notable Covid-19 cluster that emerged two weeks ago in the Clayton Park area.
Province Close To Imposing New Restrictions On Bars, Restaurants
Strang said the way Covid spread throughout the Clayton Park cluster shows that large social gatherings still present the “highest risk of transmission” of Covid-19.
He said health officials are “actively in discussion” about when and how to reapply restrictions to social gatherings, including businesses like bars and restaurants where people gather in large groups if cases continue to rise.
“We’re fully prepared to go there, and I would say we’re prepared to go there sooner than other jurisdictions,” Strang said.
McNeil echoed Strang’s statements and chastised Nova Scotians who have been flouting public health rules.
“I say to all those out there whose livelihoods may not have been impacted the first time, you’re actions are impacting the livelihoods of many, many Nova Scotian families,” he said.
“Let me be clear, we will not hesitate, if required, to shut down this economy in sections. We know the virus predominantly right now is here in HRM and this may be the first step but we all.. no matter where we live, should recognize this virus is next door and act accordingly.”
He said the government is also stepping up enforcement actions at bars and restaurants and is in ongoing discussion with police about their role in enforcing the rules surrounding private gatherings.