Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, announced on July 12, that Nova Scotia will start the fourth phase of its reopening plan on Wednesday, July 14.

“We’re pleased with vaccination rates and our epidemiology continues to improve, putting us in a good position to move to Phase 4 of our reopening plan,” said Premier Rankin. “This doesn’t mean we can let our guard down, but it does mean we can enjoy larger gatherings and support businesses by exploring all that Nova Scotia has to offer this summer.”

Each phase of the reopening plan is based on COVID-19 activity, hospitalizations, vaccination rates and continued testing. Heading into Phase 4, 75 per cent of all Nova Scotians have had one or more doses of vaccine, several thousand tests are being done daily, new case numbers are typically in single digits each day and hospitalizations are decreasing.

“We continue to encourage everyone to get two doses of vaccine as soon as possible. That is the key to continuing our reopening and getting to a stage where restrictions can end,” said Dr. Strang. “Until then, we need to continue protecting each other by following these public health measures and getting tested regularly.”

There are no changes to Nova Scotia’s border policy as Phase 4 begins. 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.