N.S. joins other provinces in requiring vaccination proof for non-essential outings
Nova Scotia on Wednesday became the latest province to announce what officials are calling a “proof of vaccination policy” to allow residents to participate in non-essential activities. The move comes after chief medical officer Dr. Robert Strang last month expressed concerns about enacting such a vaccination requirement. At the time, Strang said the province wasn’t looking to impose a vaccine passport due to legalities, adding that individual businesses or organizations could decide to employ them if they wished. Now, provincial officials have announced that as of Oct. 4, people 12 and older will have to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 to go to restaurants, gyms, theatres, concerts and sporting events. Strang said he understands some are concerned about getting the vaccine. Though such measures are commonly known as vaccine passports, Premier Tim Houston said the province was going with the more specific “proof of vaccination” term.
Health officials also announced the province will be ready to move into the final phase of its COVID-19 recovery plan next Wednesday (Sept 15th), which involves removing most of the public health measures that have been in place since the onset of the pandemic. That means indoor masking mandates, gathering limits and physical distancing rules are set to be lifted as the vaccination rates edge toward 75 per cent, Strang said, though officials are encouraging residents to voluntarily continue their mask use. He said he is confident the province can reach the 75 per cent vaccination threshold by next Wednesday. (The Canadian Press)
On Wednesday, the province reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 and 11 recoveries. Nine of the cases are in Northern Zone; three cases are in Central Zone.; one case is in Western Zone; and one case is in Eastern Zone. As of today, Nova Scotia has 61 active cases of COVID-19. Of those, one person is in a hospital COVID-19 unit.
Nova Scotia Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach will be offering a clinic at the Scotsburn Fire Hall today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The clinic will be open to drop-ins for the Pfizer vaccine to anyone age 12+ for their first or second dose. Community members will be asked to provide their health card number and ID at the vaccine clinic.
Adjudicator rebukes Trenton for ‘incompetence’ in flooding case
An adjudicator has sided with the town of Trenton in a dispute over flooding compensation, but that adjudicator is also critical of the town. The ruling is that an apartment building owner in Trenton is not entitled to compensation for repeated flooding on their property — that the town was within its right to list other projects as higher priorities with its limited funds. However, they also pointed to disorganization and mismanagement by Trenton, going so far as to term it “incompetence.” (With files from CBC)
Health care, vaccines, environment dominate leaders’ French debate
The Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec hosted five federal party leaders as they verbally duked it out over health care, vaccines and the environment in the first of two official election debates. Last night’s French-language debate will be followed by tonight’s English one as the September 20th election draws near. Much of the back-and-forth revolved around health care and how to pay for it. The moderator pushed the politicians to state whether they would deliver the extra $28 billion in annual funding the provinces want. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau pledged an added 25-billion, but “not unconditionally,” while the Conservatives’ Erin O’Toole said he would boost health transfers by $60 billion over 10 years and “without conditions” out of respect for provincial jurisdiction. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he was open to the idea, and Green Party Leader Annamie Paul underscored the need for “fundamental reform” of Canadian health care. Tonight, the leaders will do it all again, in English, covering most of the same topics in front of another national audience with only 11 days left before voters go to the polls. (With files from the Canadian Press)
Meeting set for Atlantic premiers in Moncton later this month
Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia
Premier Tim Houston and the three other Atlantic premiers are scheduled to meet in Moncton later this month for their first in-person meeting since the start of the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to dominate much of their discussion. It will be the first in-person meeting of the Council of Atlantic Premiers for the newly-elected Nova Scotia Premier and Newfoundland and Labrador’s Andrew Furey who was elected last August. The meeting is set for September 27th and 28th.
Gas down, diesel up in New Brunswick
A bit of a change at the pumps in New Brunswick this morning. Regular self-serve gas is down nine-tenths of a cent and diesel is up 1.8 cents. Nova Scotia sets its fuel prices at midnight tonight.
The 2021 Music Nova Scotia Award Nominees Are…
The nominees for the Music Nova Scotia Awards have been announced. Keonte Beals of North Preston leads the way with eight nominations for his self-produced album “King.” His nominations include African Nova Scotian Artist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and Music Video of the Year. Aquakultre, Dave Sampson, Hillsburn, Kim Harris, and Neon Dreams are all close behind with five nominations each. The Music Nova Scotia Industry and Music Awards will be presented on Sunday, November 7th in Truro as part of Nova Scotia Music Week (NSMW) 2021.
