Nova Scotia’s proof-of-vaccination policy launches for non-essential services, events
Nova Scotia’s proof-of-vaccination policy starts today. The new rules mean anyone aged 12 and up is now required to prove they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access non-essential services and activities. Entry into a range of venues and events, including restaurants, gyms, cinemas, concert halls and sport facilities, will require people to show their COVID-19 immunization record along with a valid ID, in some cases. The province says original proof of full vaccination records is acceptable in both paper and digital formats. (The Canadian Press)
Public health is encouraging people to print a new immunization card that includes a QR code — a new federal standard that became available for Nova Scotians on Friday can be accessed here: novascotia.flow.canimmunize.ca
Nova Scotia Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach is offering a drop-in clinic today (Monday, Oct. 4) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in River John at the Old School Community Centre. The clinic will be open to drop-ins for the Pfizer vaccine to anyone age 12+ for their first or second dose*
The province will release COVID-19 data from the weekend today. On Friday, Nova Scotia reported 77 new cases of COVID-19 and 61 recoveries since Wednesday. At last word, Nova Scotia had 240 active cases of COVID-19. Of those, 11 people were in hospital, including four in ICU.
New Brunswick reported 93 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, along with two virus-related deaths. The province is also grappling with a rising number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 amid a worsening fourth wave. Public health officials say there are now 45 people in hospital in New Brunswick, with 20 in intensive care, and a total of 759 active cases. Meanwhile, Newfoundland and Labrador recorded eight new cases of COVID-19 yesterday and currently has 149 active infections.
Canada to U.S. ferry service set to resume in 2022 after three year hiatus
An international ferry service that links Canada with the United States is set to resume next year after being cancelled three years in a row. An update on the Bay Ferries Ltd. website says its high-speed catamaran ferry service between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor, Maine, is expected to start in the spring of 2022. The last two seasons were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the 2019 season was scrapped due to ongoing construction at the Bar Harbor terminal. Bay Ferries, operator of the provincially subsidized ferry service, announced in 2018 it plans to relocate its U.S entry point from Portland, Maine, to Bar Harbor, a route that operated for more than half a century before ending in 2009 when the Nova Scotia government briefly eliminated an annual subsidy.
Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood says the ferry terminal has had a complete overhaul in anticipation of the upcoming season, expected to run from May to October. She says the southwestern Nova Scotia port town relies heavily on tourism and the economic spinoffs generated by the catamaran ferry service, known locally as The Cat. (The Canadian Press)
Fundraising goal surpassed at Ride for Refuge over the weekend
Pictou County Safe Harbour surpassed their fundraising goal at the Ride for Refuge event on Saturday. Over 60 participants, including many of the former refugee families who were sponsored by Safe Harbour in the past four years, raised over $30,000 for refugee sponsorship in our community.
Local sports note:
In NS U18 AAA Female action in Saint John on Sunday, Northern Subway Selects blanked Fundy Nationals 11-0. Gabby Arsenault with the shutout.
