Nova Scotia reports 8 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday
The province reported eight new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the active number of cases across the province to 92. Five of the new cases are in the central zone. Four of those are close contacts of previous cases and one is under investigation. The remaining three cases are in the eastern zone, with two of those being close contacts and one under investigation. Five people are now in hospital with COVID-19, including four in intensive care. Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang will provide a COVID-19 update today beginning at 3 p.m.
On Wednesday, the province announced people who received a first vaccine dose on or before May 1 — who were scheduled for a second dose on or before Aug. 14 — can now rebook for an earlier date. People who provided an email address at the time of vaccination will receive a rebooking notice by email. People without an email address, or who did not provide one, can call 1-833-797-7772 to reschedule. As of yesterday, 67.6% of Nova Scotians have received one dose of vaccine.
New Brunswick has moved into Phase 2 of its reopening plan. The change opens travel, without the need to isolate, to all of Nova Scotia after the province opened to P-E-I and Newfoundland and Labrador earlier this week.
Registry of Motor Vehicles rebooking road tests cancelled by COVID-19 shutdown
As the province continues to reopen, the Registry of Motor Vehicles is now starting to rebook driver road tests. About 4,000 cancelled appointments are being rebooked before new road tests can be scheduled. People who had booked appointments that were cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions will be rebooked first. The Registry of Motor Vehicles is contacting people by phone to reschedule. Those with cancelled appointments are encouraged to answer their phones and check voicemail to make the process as efficient as possible. The province expects to be able to start booking new road test appointments by early August.
The following safety measures and process will be in place:
— drivers are asked to arrive 15 minutes early and maintain physical distancing of two metres (six feet)
— drivers will be asked health-related questions to assess exposure risks to the COVID-19 virus
— drivers must wear their own face mask (non-medical masks are permitted)
— driver examiners will wear a face mask, and may wear other protective equipment
— touch surfaces of a driver’s vehicle will be disinfected prior to the test
— driver examiners will maintain a distance of two metres (six feet) when outside the vehicle, and drivers are asked to do the same
If customers are not able to comply with the outlined requirements, the test may be cancelled and rebooked for a later time.
Woman from New Glasgow among 14 charged in Dartmouth drug trafficking ring
A 25-year old New Glasgow woman is one of 14 people charged as a result of an 11-month investigation that the RCMP say has disrupted a drug trafficking ring. The 14 are charged with approximately 100 offences and police have also seized a significant quantity of drugs, firearms and money. The investigation is continuing.
Nova Scotia RCMP details its response to mass shooting
An affidavit submitted in response to a proposed class-action lawsuit over the mass shooting in Nova Scotia last spring shows the RCMP faced confusion as they searched for the gunman. RCMP Superintendent Darren Campbell says in the statement that officers in Portapique thought they were hearing gunshots more than four hours after the shooter fled the scene. Campbell says officers also thought they had spotted the killer carrying a flashlight just after 10:45 p-m on the night the rampage began but it later turned out be someone else. The senior officers’ statement says police faced further confusion 10 minutes later, when a witness told police there were multiple shooters in the area.
Gas down, diesel up in N.B.
There’s a slight change at the pumps in New Brunswick this morning. Regular self-serve gas is down six-tenths of a cent overnight. Diesel increased five-tenths of a cent. Nova Scotia sets its fuel prices at midnight tonight.
PCA Trailblazers back on track today
Pictou County Athletics Trailblazers outdoor season for kids aged 9-12 set to begin today (June 17th) from 5:30-6:30 and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday at the Pioneer Coal Athletics Field. Registration will take place for new athletes from 5-6 this afternoon as well as Tuesday, June 22nd at the track facility in Stellarton.
