There is a temporary lockdown coming to the Halifax area.
In the face of 37 new cases and 87 active infections, the premier has ordered the, at least, two week measure.
All but two of the new cases are in the Central Zone, one in Northern Zone and one in Western Zone.
Premier Stephen McNeil says it is time to get serious.
“37 cases in one day, if that isn’t enough of a concern, I don’t know what is,” he says. “If you haven’t woken up to the second wave, this is your wakeup call.”
McNeil says the lockdown includes the following restrictions in the Halifax area:
– stronger enforcement of illegal gatherings, each and every attendee will be fined $1,000
– organized sports, recreational, athletic, arts and cultural activities, faith-based activities are paused
– profit and non-profit fitness and recreational facilities closed
– bars and restaurants are closed for in-person dining, but may provide take-out or delivery
– a five-person public gathering limit (or up to the number of members of a household)
– mandatory masking in common areas of multi-unit residential buildings
– retail stores are restricted to 25 per cent or less of allowed capacity
– wineries, distilleries, and breweries cannot hold tastings or in-person dining and must follow retail rules in their stores
– libraries and museums are closed
– gaming establishments are closed
All that in addition to strengthened provincewide measures with sports teams restricted to local or regional play, no extracurricular activities between schools, and nursing homes being restricted to only allowing in volunteers and designated caregivers.
McNeil is also asking all residents to avoid non-essential travel to and from the Halifax area.
“There is no doubt that COVID is in our communities, and it is trying to take a grip on the greater Halifax area,” he says, “We need to stop the spread now.”
New restrictions come into effect Thursday.
