More restrictions have been lifted across Nova Scotia as the province celebrates its seventeenth day without a new COVID-19 case.
Premier Stephen McNeil announced Today restaurants and liquor establishments can now operate at 100 per cent capacity as of today, and are able to serve until midnight.
However, Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health said there are some stipulations.
“It doesn’t mean they go back to 100 per cent capacity before COVID-19,” he said.
“We’ve said restaurants has to space out their seating to maintain distance. So within that established, spaced out seating, they can now have 100 per cent of those tables filled.”
McNeil also announced Campgrounds can now utilize 100 per cent of their temporary campgrounds, and public pools may reopen across the province as well.
However, he cautioned it may take some time for municipalities to get them open, if at all.
For pools that do open, they will need to maintain physical distancing for lane swimming and aquafit classes, and will allow one or more groups of 10 for other activities based on pool size.
They must also follow the Nova Scotia Lifesaving Society plan for change rooms and washrooms.
Also announced, as of July 3rd, limits on public gatherings held by a recognized business or organization will increase to up to 250 people for outside events, and 200 for inside events.
Private gatherings however are still limited to 50 people, or limited to a person’s group bubble of 10 people.
Strang said there has been some confusion around who can be included in those social groups of 10.
“People should not randomly, spontaneously just become a group of 10,” he said.
“This does not say that if you are out and about and you happen to come across a group of friends, you can just say ‘Okay, lets all go out for dinner.’ Creating these groups of 10 needs to be done carefully, thoughtfully and in a planned manner.”
He also stressed businesses should not lump patrons into random groups of 10 to seat more people, and must follow safety guidelines.
Strang also recommended all Nova Scotians wear non-medical masks in public situations where physical distancing is not possible, however masks were not made mandatory.
McNeil also announced people living in homes funded by disability support programs can resume going out into their communities, and the cancellation of the Yarmouth ferry 2020 sailing season due to increasing COVID-19 cases in the US.
A full breakdown of the changes can be found here.
Follow Cody McEachern on Twitter at @CodyInHiFi.
