As many businesses re-open in Nova Scotia, the province is reporting another day without a positive COVID-19 test result.
Many communities are also looking to celebrate this month’s high school grads.
Dr. Robert Strang, the chief medical officer of health, says an exemption has been made under the Public Health Act order to allow these celebrations but only if they are hosted by community organizations, businesses or municipalities who will be responsible for the event and that municipalities, police, and EHS have been informed.
“These are all going to based on a drive-in concept, so attendees must arrive in a vehicle. All passengers in a vehicle must be from a single household or household bubble. Graduates can come out of their vehicle to do things like crossing a stage or taking part in a parade, as long as a physical distance of two metres or six feet is maintained.”
He says organizers must ensure that everyone attending knows all the public health protocols that must be followed.
A full list can be found on the Nova Scotia COVID-19 webpage under “community celebration of graduates”.
Public Health is also concerned about people attending protests.
Dr. Strang says he and the Premier support the right of people to protest peacefully but they want to make sure those participating stay safe.
“It’s critically important that we ask any participants going to any of the events maintain the social distance. Anybody organizing these events should consider how they’re going to facilitate the maintenance of social distance. We would highly recommend that anybody going to these events wear a non-medical mask.”
He also says that, if you aren’t feeling well, do not attend any of these events.
Meanwhile, Premier Stephen McNeil says they will follow the epidemiology over the next few weeks before making any decisions about opening the province more.
“We can hopefully then start opening up a bit more…it may require some support to businesses and communities and then we need to look at our own borders, whether its in Atlantic Canada, I think is the appropriate start, but again, looking how do we get people, both from a tourist point of view, from a business point of view, moving across this country.”
Three people remain in the hospital, two of them in the ICU and there are two active cases at the Northwood long-term care facility in Halifax, one resident and one staff member.
There have been 44,477 negative COVID-19 test results, 1,058 positive results and 61 deaths, and 997 people, or 94 percent, have recovered from their infections.
