Province Pumps Up COVID Rules, Tests, and Fines
Don’t leave your home community ‘till May 20th. That’s the latest response to a dramatic spike in COVID infections in Nova Scotia — up sixty-three today.
Premier Iain Rankin and the province’s chief medical officer held an un-scheduled briefing this afternoon to urge all Nova Scotians that the COVID crisis needs our immediate attention.
Gathering restrictions — whether inside or out — have been reduced to ten across the province and remain five in the greater Halifax area.
Premier Rankin said, “We are at a very serious crossroads - the virus is spreading and we need to stop it now. COVID-19 has found its way into every region of our province. This is one step to help stop that but more restrictions may become necessary in the coming days.”
The urgent clampdown will be enforced over the next four weeks. The fine for any breach of the emergency order has been raised to $2 thousand per person or incident. This, on the heels of a large house party in Halifax on Friday night. Halifax Police also received numerous other calls about illegal gatherings over the weekend.
Employers are also asked to encourage and support employees to work from home as much as possible to help reduce possible contacts.
Health officials have been warning that variants of the coronavirus transmit more easily and carry a more potent virus.
Dr. Robert Strang added to that warning today saying, “We need to assume that all cases are variant cases and they spread more quickly and more easily. People are becoming positive after having moderate exposure to someone with the virus and we didn't see that during wave one or two.” Strang called for diligence, “We must stay close to home, reduce our social circles, physically distant and get tested.”
The state of emergency was first declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22, 2020 and has been extended every two weeks ever since.
To book a COVID-19 testing appointment to https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/.
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