COVID-19 Millbrook Community Update – June 1, 2020
Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia, announced on May 29, a new gathering limit of 10 and more steps toward reopening the province.
Premier McNeil said that “this next step to allow people to gather in slightly larger groups is good for our mental health and well-being.”
The new gathering limit of 10 is now in effect. Physical distancing of two metres or six feet is still required, except among members of the same household or family household bubble.
The limit is the same indoors and outdoors, with an exception for outdoor weddings and funeral services which can have 15 people.
The gathering limit of 10 people applies to things like social gatherings, cultural activities, religious gatherings, and sports and physical activity. It also applies to businesses whose main function is gatherings, such as theatres, concerts, festivals and sporting activities, and to businesses that are too small to ensure physical distancing.
Other steps being taken include:
starting June 5, private campgrounds can open for all types of campers. They can only operate at 50 per cent capacity and must ensure public health protocols are followed including adequate distance between campsites
provincial campgrounds will open to Nova Scotians on June 15, with the reservation line opening June 8. They will operate at a reduced capacity to ensure a minimum of 20 feet between individual campsites
pools can start maintenance work to prepare for reopening, likely in time for summer
sleepover camps are not permitted this year
Effective June 5, most businesses required to close under the public health order can reopen. Businesses must follow public health protocols to ensure physical distancing, increased cleaning and other protective measures for staff and customers. The following can open if they are ready and choose to do so, including: restaurants for dine-in, as well as takeout and delivery, bars, wineries, distilleries and taprooms, hair salons, barber shops, spas, nail salons and body art establishments, fitness facilities, such as gyms, yoga studios and climbing facilities, veterinarians
Other health providers can also reopen on June 5, provided they follow protocols in their colleges’ and associations’ plans, as approved by public health. These include:
dentistry and other self-regulated health professions such as optometry, chiropractic and physiotherapy
unregulated health professions such as massage therapy, podiatry and naturopathy
Public health continues to work with the child care sector on a plan to reopen safely. June 15 is now the goal, but the reopening date will be confirmed and shared with Nova Scotians once the plan is fully approved. The primary focus is the safety of children.
“As we create more opportunities for Nova Scotians to regain some normalcy in their lives, it’s important that we all continue to take protective measures like good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and staying home if you’re sick,” said Dr. Strang. You are encouraged to:
· Avoid close contact – stay 6 feet apart (2 meters); avoid crowds; shop during off-peak hours
· Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer; avoid hand shakes; wash your hands before and after preparing food; wash hands after handling waste
· Cough or sneeze into your sleeve
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
· Avoid sharing items that may have saliva on them like utensils and bottles/glasses
· Wash and sanitize surfaces like taps, doorknobs, light switches, toilets, and countertops daily
· Sanitize remote controls, cell phones, phones, and other hand-held devices
· Limit non-essential travel
· Limit your contact with people aged 65 and older, those with compromised immune systems (e.g. undergoing cancer treatment) and those with chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, COPD)
· Limit contact with others if you feel sick because you cannot be sure that you do not have COVID-19 without testing.
· Wear a non-medical mask when it may be difficult to stay 6 feet apart
To date, Nova Scotia has 41,944 negative test results, 1,056 positive COVID-19 test results and 60 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Seven individuals are currently in hospital, two of those in ICU. Nine-hundred and eighty-one individuals have now recovered and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved. Cases have been identified in all parts of the province. A map and graphic presentation of the case data is available at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data .
If you have any one of the following symptoms, visit https://811.novascotia.ca to determine if you should call 811 for further assessment:
fever (i.e. chills, sweats)
cough or worsening of a previous cough
sore throat
headache
shortness of breath
muscle aches
sneezing
nasal congestion/runny nose
hoarse voice
diarrhea
unusual fatigue
loss of sense of smell or taste
red, purple or blueish lesions on the feet, toes or fingers without clear cause
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus . Businesses and other organizations can find information to help them safely reopen at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia/ .
Quick Facts:
testing numbers are updated daily at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22 and extended to June 14
Additional Resources:
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397
The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)
The Eskasoni Crisis Line is available by calling 1-855-379-2099.
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7, by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)
For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)