Premier Stephen McNeil. Image: Submitted
The Nova Scotia government is tightening border restrictions for people entering the province from New Brunswick, as that province fights off its worst COVID-19 outbreak to date.
The new rules, which come into effect at 8 a.m. on January 9, require anyone entering Nova Scotia from New Brunswick to quarantine for 14 days.
“What we are saying here is do not go to New Brunswick, and New Brunswickers do not come here unless it is for essential purposes,” Premier Stephen McNeil said today as he announced the changes.
There will be a few exceptions to the new restrictions, specifically for people who travel between the two provinces for work, medical appointments, and for reasons related to legal child custody arrangements.
While other Atlantic provinces already have similar quarantine rules in place, until now Nova Scotia had allowed free travel into the province from its Atlantic neighbors.
Tomorrow, most of those last vestiges of the Atlantic Bubble end. However, the new rules only apply to travel from New Brunswick; anyone travelling from Newfoundland or Prince Edward Island can come into Nova Scotia without quarantining.
Nova Scotia’s tightened border with New Brunswick comes as that province recorded 118 COVID-19 cases since January 1. Earlier this week, the entire province moved into the “orange” phase of its COVID-19 recovery plan.
“I feel for New Brunswick and I wish them nothing but good luck,” McNeil said today.
Other Restrictions Extended Until Jan. 24
Along with tightening border controls, the Nova Scotia government also extended most of its other province-wide COVID-19 restrictions from January 11 until January 24.
That means gathering limits remain at 10 people, restaurants and bars must stop serving customers by 10 p.m. and close by 11 p.m., fitness facilities can operate at 50 percent capacity with extra-cautious social distancing measures in place, and other rules.
However, the province is increasing the number of people allowed in retail shops from 25 percent capacity to 50 percent of their capacity.
The province will also allow Casino Nova Scotia and three First Nations gaming centers to reopen, under the same restrictions as similar establishments.
Case Number ‘Encouraging’ But Province Will Continue With ‘Cautious Approach’
Strang said extending provincial restrictions will allow health officials to “really see the impact” the end-of-year holidays had on COVID-19’s spread in Nova Scotia.
“This week has started to paint a picture of the impact of the holiday season… but it’s still early,” he said.
As of January 8, Nova Scotia had 29 active COVID-19 cases. Strang said most cases are linked to other cases or travel outside of the province. He called the numbers “encouraging” but said “we need that to continue” with restrictions.
The province has always taken a cautious approach to loosening restrictions “and it’s paid off,” Strang said. Because of that, he plans to continue acting with caution through January.
“You don’t need to look far to see why we are taking this cautious approach,” he said. He pointed to the worsening outbreak in New Brunswick, the newly imposed curfew in Quebec, and at-capacity hospitals in Ontario as proof.
Strang said he knows restrictions are tough, “but I hope you can look at what’s around us and see how hard that is as well.”
“I know this is not the news you were hoping for, but it is the right approach to keep us all safe,” he added.
Derek Montague is a reporter with Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.
