Nova Scotia Will Implement Vaccine Passport System, Enter Phase 5 On Schedule
HALIFAX — Premier Tim Houston is sticking to his timeline for loosening Covid-19 restrictions in Nova Scotia.
At a press briefing on September 8, Houston said the province is on track to get 75 percent of its population fully vaccinated by September 15. Right now, 72 percent of Nova Scotians have received both vaccine doses.
Houston says the fact that the province is on track to meet its 75 percent target means Phase 5 of its Covid-19 recovery plan can begin on that day.
The premier said he also plans to implement in October what is essentially a vaccine passport system.
Before that happens, Phase 5 will begin on September 15. Houston said that means most restrictions in the province will be lifted, including gathering limits and mask mandates.
However, Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer of health, cautioned this doesn’t mean we are out of the woods.
“I wish I could say our job is done but we’re not quite there yet. We need to be wary of a fourth wave of Covid here in Nova Scotia,” Strang said.
Strang said while masks will no longer be required in the province, public health still “strongly recommends” people wear masks inside, especially when they’re close to other people.
Masks will be required in schools until September 20 to help staff and students “transition to Phase 5.” Strang also said mandatory masks will be “one of the first measures brought back if cases rise in a certain area or setting.”
Houston echoed Strang’s warnings that “we can’t ignore the impact of the fourth wave and the impact of the delta variant.”
That means restrictions at the province’s border will stay in place: unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people trying to come into Nova Scotia will be forced to self-isolate upon arrival.
Houston and Strang also outlined what they called a “proof of vaccine policy” he plans to roll out in Nova Scotia at the beginning of October.
According to Strang, the policy will be a “time-limited measure in response in the fourth wave.”
He said officials are still working out exactly what the policy will look like, but that it will likely mean proof of vaccination will be required for activities like dining out, going to bars, going to movies, attending sporting events, or going to a fitness facility.
“Requiring proof of vaccination to participate in activities that are discretionary, recreational, or non-essential means we can bring larger groups of people together safely. This gives us the best chance of staying open once we’re open,” Strang said.
He said the policy will come into effect on October 4. Nova Scotians will be able to use the proof of vaccination that was emailed to them after they received their vaccines. But proof of a negative test will not be accepted.
“I know some Nova Scotians are still uncomfortable receiving Covid vaccines. And I want to be very clear we are not requiring anyone to be vaccinated,” Strang said. “You will keep having a choice, but we are still in the midst of a global pandemic that has taken countless lives. An individual’s right to choose has to be balanced with our collective responsibilities to keep one another safe.”
Strang said he believes this policy provides “an appropriate balance.”