Nova Scotia declares provincewide shutdown as COVID-19 cases surge

A rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia has led to a provincewide shutdown after health officials reported a record 96 cases on Tuesday. Premier Iain Rankin said that as of Wednesday at 8 a.m., all schools and non-essential indoor services will be closed across the province for the next two weeks. “COVID-19 and its variants are on the move and spreading faster than ever before,” Rankin told reporters. “COVID is in every region of our province and it doesn’t want to seem to slow down.” The premier said the closures affect malls, gyms, retail stores, bars and restaurants, although curbside pickup and takeout will be allowed.

For the Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education, this shutdown means all schools will pivot to at-home learning for a period of two weeks.  The six schools identified on Monday to close to students (Elmsdale District, Enfield District, Maple Ridge Elementary, Uniacke District, Riverside Education Centre, and Hants East Rural High) will begin at-home learning on Thursday.  CEC will continue with at-home learning.   All other Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education schools will begin at-home learning on Friday.  You can access all the up to date information at: ccrce.ca

Nova Scotia reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases for the third consecutive day; officials reported 66 cases on Monday and 63 on Sunday. Ninety of the new cases were identified in the Halifax area. Another three were reported in the province’s eastern zone, two in the western zone and one in the northern zone. The province has 419 active reported infections.

Under the provincewide lockdown, households of two or fewer members can socialize with one or two other people but they must be the same people for the two-week period. Travel is restricted between communities unless it’s for such things as work or medical appointments. Grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies can remain open at 25 per cent capacity. All daycares can stay open as long as staff, visitors and children over two years old wear masks.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the military will deploy 60 service members to assist at COVID-19 testing centres in Nova Scotia. Trudeau said the province requested the aid because of the rapid rise in cases, particularly in the Halifax area. The military says personnel from Royal Canadian Navy ships and Canadian Army units based in Nova Scotia have been assigned to this task.  (With files from the Canadian Press)

The season has ended for all the teams in the Maritime Junior Hockey League’s Eastlink South division, including the Pictou County Weeks Crushers.  It’s due to the COVID-19 restrictions as Nova Scotia announced a two-week province-wide lockdown on Tuesday, which includes a ban on sports events and practices. The seven teams in the South division met last night and decided it would be best to end their season.

Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 at various locations across the province and one Air Canada flight.  All potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures

Two 18-year-old men in the province have been charged for violating the Health Protection Act.  One is a student in Sheet Harbour who’s been charged by RCMP for failing to wear a mask in a public place.   Truro Police charged the other man for failing to self isolate.

Workplace health and safety will be on the minds of many Nova Scotians today, April 28th – the National Day of Mourning in Canada. 

The Pictou County Injured Workers’ Associations says due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, ceremonies will not be held, but encourages everyone to take the opportunity to reflect on how these needless deaths and injuries can be prevented.  Thirty-two Nova Scotians died because of their employment activities last year.  A joint provincial government/labour statement about the National Day of Mourning says they’ll continue to work closely with industry and other partners to promote workplace safety.

A virtual worker-safety webinar is planned to take place tonight starting at 7pm, presented by the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour and St. FX University.  A promotional notice says the event “will explore the Westray experience and legacy and what occupation, health and safety measures mean for workers in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.”  Find out more at: nslabour.ca