December 16, 2020 restrictions update:
– The current restrictions in areas of Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants County are extended until 11:59 p.m. on Dec 20
– The closure of restaurants and licensed establishments for dine-in service in these areas is extended until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 10; they can continue to offer takeout and delivery service
– The Halifax casino will also remain closed until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 10
– New provincewide restrictions for gatherings, businesses and activities, as well as changes to long-term care restrictions will start Dec. 21 and be in place until Jan. 10
Effective Dec. 21 to Jan. 10, the following restrictions are in place provincewide:
For gatherings and events:
– Gatherings in your home can have 10 people total, including the people who live there
– People can have a close social group of 10 without physical distancing
– Social events, festivals, special events, arts/cultural events and sports events are not permitted
– Faith gatherings, wedding ceremonies and funeral services can have a maximum of 150 people outdoors or 50 per cent of an indoor venue’s capacity, to a maximum of 100
– Wedding and funeral receptions are not permitted
For businesses:
– Restaurants and licensed establishments, outside the areas of HRM and Hants County noted above, must stop service by 10 p.m. and close by 11 p.m.
– Fitness and sport and recreation facilities can open
– Fitness facilities like gyms and yoga studios can operate at 50 per cent capacity and must ensure three metres distance between participants during high intensity activities
– Outdoor fitness classes can operate at full capacity and must ensure three metres distance between participants during high intensity activities
– Personal services such as hair salons and spas can resume providing services that can only be done if the customer removes their mask, such as facials
– Retail and shopping mall rules currently in place for areas of HRM and Hants County will extend to the entire province, including operating at 25 per cent of their capacity; their food courts can remain open with public health measures in place including physical distance between tables
For sports, museums, libraries and long-term care:
– Sports practices, training and arts and culture rehearsals are limited to 25 participants without physical distancing but games, tournaments and performances are not permitted
– The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, museums and libraries can reopen at full capacity with physical distancing and other public health measures in place
– Each long-term care resident can have two designated caregivers and facilities can allow a limited number of visitors
Nova Scotians are still asked to avoid any unnecessary travel. There is no longer a recommendation specifically around travel into and out of areas of HRM and Hants County.