Province reports one new Covid-19 case, moves into Phase 4 today
Nova Scotia reported one new case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, along with five recoveries, as the active number of cases in the province drops to 31. The new case was identified in the Western zone and involves a close contact of a previously reported case. Two cases that were previously reported have been removed from the province’s cumulative case count. The province will move into Phase 4 of its reopening plan today, which will further loosen restrictions. There are no changes to Nova Scotia’s border policy as Phase 4 begins. Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, will provide a COVID-19 update today – Wednesday, July 14, at 3 p.m.
Effective 8 a.m., July 14, the following restrictions are being eased provincewide:
Gatherings
— people can have informal gatherings with their household members and close social contacts to a maximum of 25 indoors or 50 outdoors without physical distancing or masks, unless they are in a public place where masks are required
— faith gatherings, weddings, funerals and associated receptions and visitation hosted by a recognized business or organization can have 50 per cent capacity to a maximum of 150 people indoors or 250 people outdoors
Business
— restaurants, licensed establishments and casinos continue to operate with existing mask and distancing rules; there can be up to 25 people per table; customers can go to the bar to order; establishments can return to their normal service hours; they can have performers following the limit for arts and culture performances
— events hosted by a recognized business or organization can have 50 per cent capacity to a maximum of 150 people indoors or 250 people outdoors; organizers need a plan following guidelines for events
— people can follow the informal gathering limit for dancing together at events and at bars or restaurants, with distance between groups; the indoor limit applies to dancing indoors and on patios at bars or restaurants
— all retail stores can operate at maximum capacity with public health measures in place, including distancing and masks
— meetings and training hosted by a recognized business or organization can have 50 per cent capacity to a maximum of 150 people indoors or 250 people outdoors
Recreation and sport
— fitness and recreation facilities such as gyms, yoga studios, pools and arenas can operate at maximum capacity with public health measures in place, including distancing and masks
— a wide variety of recreation and leisure businesses and organizations, such as dance classes, music lessons, escape rooms and indoor play spaces, can operate at maximum capacity with public health measures in place, including distancing and masks
— organized sports practices, games, league play, competition and recreation programs can involve up to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors without physical distancing; tournaments are allowed when they are run by or affiliated with a provincial sport organization, following their Return to Sport plan
— audiences follow the gathering limits for events hosted by a recognized business or organization
— day camps can operate with 30 campers per group plus staff and volunteers, following the day camp guidelines
— masks are no longer required for children age 12 and under in child-care settings, including day camps and overnight camps
— masks are no longer required at outdoor public places where it may be difficult to maintain physical distance, such as markets, playgrounds and parks
Arts and culture
— professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and performances can involve up to 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors without physical distancing
— audiences follow the gathering limits for events hosted by a recognized business or organization
— museums, libraries and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia can open at maximum capacity with public health measures in place, including distancing and masks
Continuing care
— all long-term care residents can leave the facility to visit indoor and outdoor public places like parks, stores and restaurants
— fully vaccinated residents can have visitors in their rooms and visit their family’s home, including overnight stays
— residents who are not fully vaccinated can have visitors in designated indoor visitation areas
People who do not follow the public health measures can be fined. For example, the fine is $2,000 for each person at an illegal gathering.
N.S. becomes second province to sign on to federal Liberals’ child-care subsidy plan
Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has become the second province to sign on to a federal program that would fund thousands of subsidized daycare spots, in a deal that plays into the prime minister’s and premier’s potential election platforms. Neither Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin nor Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have announced a campaign date, but there’s been speculation calls could come within weeks or even days. During Tuesday’s announcement, Trudeau appeared via video link and said the $605-million deal would halve the average child-care fees in the province by the end of next year, to $20 a day per child. The program, he added, would gradually lower them over five years to $10 a day. Trudeau also said the agreement with Nova Scotia will create 4,000 new, regulated early learning and child-care spaces within two years and a total of 9,500 spaces by the 2025-26 fiscal year. Nova Scotia joins British Columbia in signing a child-care deal with Ottawa. The federal government’s recent budget included more than $27.2 billion on child care for the provinces, provided they agree to targets on affordability, quality of care and training of early childhood educators. (The Canadian Press)
Trenton welcomes new CAO
Alanna MacDonald will serve as the Town of Trenton’s next Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) beginning August 09, 2021. Most recently serving as the Revenue Manager for the Town of New Glasgow, the town says MacDonald already has well-developed relationships with other units in Pictou County and the Property Valuation Services Corporation. She has previously served as secretary for the Association of Municipal Tax Collectors of Nova Scotia, a committee member for the Working on Wellness Committee in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Public Health Authority, a committee member for the UNSM Wellness Sub Committee and Chair of the Town of New Glasgow Wellness Committee organizing wellness initiatives for employees of the Town of New Glasgow.
Tearmann Society announces Rayann Toner as Executive Director
Photo: Tearmann’s new Executive Director Rayann Toner (submitted)
Jessie Parkinson, Chair of Tearmann Society for Abused Women, has announced the appointment of Rayann Toner as Tearmann’s new Executive Director. Originally from Trenton, Toner brings more than 15 years’ experience in the violence against women and social justice sector to her new role. Most recently she served as the Acting Executive Director of the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter (CAWES) for three years and was previously Operations Manager of CAWES. In 2014, Rayann was recognized as one of the recipients for the Central Alberta Frontline Services Awards for her work in the field of domestic violence. Toner says she is excited to return to her beloved home community of Pictou County and is thrilled to represent Tearmann Society as the incoming Executive Director. She will begin her role effective, July 26th.
Nova Scotia to host North American Indigenous Games in 2023
The North American Indigenous Games will be coming to Halifax in 2023. The host society announced this week the 10th Games will take place from July 15 to 23, 2023 in the Halifax area and Millbrook First Nation. It will be the first time the event has been held in Atlantic Canada. The event was originally scheduled to take place last summer, but it had to be postponed due to the pandemic. The nine-day event is expected to have over 5,000 participants from 756 Indigenous nations.
MOPC postpones hydrant flushing
Due to unforeseen circumstances, hydrant flushing will not take place in Pictou County this week. Officials with the county say new dates for flushing will be announced at a later time.
