New Coronavirus Measures In N.S. Will Impact Theatres, Bars, Travellers
HALIFAX – The provincial government today announced a host of new measures aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus in Nova Scotia.
The province has ordered all public-sector employees who travel anywhere outside of Canada to stay home and “self-isolate” for 14 days after they return.
The directive applies to health-care workers, teachers, civil servants, and anyone else who works for the provincial government. The order extends to students in the province’s public schools and childcare centres as well, even if their parents don’t work for the government.
Workers who are forced to stay home will be paid during their absences.
At a press conference this morning, McNeil also said the government is “encouraging the private sector to take the same approach” and properly support employees who have traveled outside the country to isolate themselves for two weeks.
Universities and colleges in the province also “should be following these protocols,” he said.
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer, also encouraged everyone in the province to limit public gatherings to no more than 150 people.
This means everything from weddings and church services to movie theatres, bars, concerts, and conventions.
McNeil also said he has asked the federal government to delay this year’s cruise ship season, although the federal government has not yet made that commitment.
For now, The Nova Scotia government’s suggestions to the private sector around public gatherings and employee self-isolation are just suggestions, Strang said, “we may become more directive on that as necessary.”
Strang pointed out he has “broad” power under the Health Protection Act to “direct activities” that might impact the spread of coronavirus. That means today’s requests to businesses could in the future become orders.
“Today we’re asking people, but as things evolve… we may well move in the future to be more directive,” he said.
“I don’t think we can stress enough the severity of this virus as it spreads around the world,” McNeil said. He acknowledged that COVID-19 will almost certainly show up in Nova Scotia soon and that proper public health precautions could reduce its spread by as much as 30-50 percent.
So far, the province has completed 226 tests for coronavirus, all of which have come back negative.