If you want your news/articles to be promoted on this page, send your information to the Communications Department at communications@millbrookfn.ca.
Be sure to include ALL relevant information (including the who, what, when, where, why and how to find out more).
Due to recently announced delays with Canada Post, Millbrook First Nation has pushed out the election day to March 3, 2022.
Social Clients: Direct Deposits will not be deposited until tomorrow, January 13, 2022. Sorry of inconvenience.
The Social Department has decided that Social issue will be returned to Thursdays so future deposits will be made on Thursdays going forward.
Millbrook Social Department
Since December 17th, 61 residents of Millbrook tested positive on either a rapid or PCR test. Today, we have 14 active cases; the rest have been resolved. However, the active case number will change as more people get infected. To help lower the chance of further spread in the community, get tested and stay home. The next COVID19 testing clinic will be at the community hall from 1:30 to 7:30 this Friday, January 14th. To protect yourselves and others, get vaccinated. The next vaccine clinic for first, second and booster doses is tomorrow, January 12th.
Millbrook has 30 cases of COVID19 with others waiting to hear if their PCR tests are positive. The number of positive cases will continue to grow for some time. Public Health is determining if there is community spread in Millbrook. Stay home if you do not need to go out. Wear a snug-fitting 3 layer cloth mask or properly fitted medical mask. If you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, fever, cough or headache, take a rapid test. If you are a close contact of someone who has COVID19, take a rapid test. If you have been to an exposure site at the time of the exposure, take a rapid test. Rapid tests are available by contacting Millbrook Security.
If you get a positive rapid test result (2 lines), contact Chief Gloade or text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779. Then book a confirmatory PCR test by calling 811 or go online at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. Isolate right away and notify your close contacts. Please notify Public Health of your positive rapid test by emailing PublicHealthPOCT@nshealth.ca including your name, date of birth, health card number and contact information as this helps us get an accurate count of positive cases in our community.
We can all do our part to prevent the further spread of COVID19 in our community. Limit your contacts to the same 10 people in your bubble. Stay home if you have tested positive with a rapid or PCR test. While isolating in your home, wear your mask properly, physical distance from others, eat and sleep in a separate room, keep your hands clean, and sanitize surfaces you touched in your shared bathroom, or use a separate bathroom. Monitor yourself for worsening symptoms. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, call 911. For more information about what to do if you test positive, go to https://www.nshealth.ca/testedpositiveforcovid.
How to interpret test results and when you no longer have to isolate -
A negative test is 1 negative PCR test result OR 2 negative rapid tests done at least 48 hours apart.
If you were in contact with a positive case and you had symptoms, you can stop isolating only after you have two negative rapid tests (e.g., 72 hours after exposure and 5 days after exposure).
Fully vaccinated contacts with no symptoms can stop isolating after a first negative rapid test (e.g., 72 hours after exposure), but you need to complete a 2nd rapid test at least 48 hours later (e.g., 5 days after exposure).
Isolating at a hotel – Do not leave your room if isolating at a hotel. Before you check in, call the hotel from your car so that they can prepare for your arrival. You are not allowed to eat breakfast in the hotel breakfast area (a breakfast bag will be delivered to you). For food delivery, ask the deliverer to stop at the front desk to let the hotel know that you are expecting a delivery.
COVID19 Testing Clinic – A COVID19 testing clinic will take place on January 3rd at the Millbrook Gymnasium from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. for band and community members. Rapid tests will be available there to take home. At the Dec 20th testing clinic, 134 people were tested, at the Dec 21st clinic, 86 were tested, and at the Dec 27th clinic, 84 people were tested. We need more people to go to these clinics to get tested.
Vaccine Clinic – A COVID19 vaccine clinic will take place at the health centre on January 12th for those aged 5 and above. Become fully vaccinated (2 doses) and get your booster dose (for those 18 and above). The vaccine is safe and once fully vaccinated, helps lower your chances of becoming hospitalized because of COVID19. The booster may reduce your ability to spread the virus if you have COVID19. The vaccine needs at least 14 days to become protective; it will not protect you right away, so the sooner you get your first, second, or booster dose, the better.
Millbrook Chief and Council
December 29, 2021
Nova Scotia Health’s COVID-19 vaccine outreach clinics will be offering drop-ins for the Pfizer vaccine in Tatamagouche and Stewiacke next week to help support vaccine accessibility for residents and nearby community members.
The clinics are open to anyone age 5+ for their first or second dose* at the following locations, at the following times:
Tatamagouche Fire Hall (202 Main St, Tatamagouche)
Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drop-in only.
Stewiacke Community Centre (111 Highway 2, Stewiacke)
Wednesday, Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drop-in only.
*To be eligible for a second dose, it must be 28 days or more since the first dose, or 21 days or more if the first dose was Pfizer.
Community members will be asked to provide their health card number (if they have one) and ID at the vaccine clinic.
For those with mobility challenges, special needs, and/or have significant anxiety about needles, please notify clinic team members on site. Having this information helps the clinic team better offer support.
All eligible Nova Scotians are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
For a list of other drop-in vaccine clinics available across the province, please visit https://www.nshealth.ca/drop-in-vaccine-clinics.
Up-to-date information around COVID-19 cases and resources can be found at www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus
-30-
Millbrook has 25 cases of COVID19 with more people waiting to hear if their PCR tests are positive. The number of positive cases will continue to grow for some time. Public Health is determining if there is community spread in Millbrook. Stay home if you do not need to go out. If you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, cough or headache, take a rapid test. If you are a close contact of someone who has COVID19, take a rapid test. If you have been to an exposure site at the time of the exposure, take a rapid test. Rapid tests are available by contacting Millbrook Security. If you get a positive test result (2 lines), contact Chief Gloade or text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779. Then book a confirmatory PCR test by calling 811 or go online at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. Isolate right away and notify your close contacts. Please notify Public Health of your positive rapid test by emailing PublicHealthPOCT@nshealth.ca including your name, date of birth, health card number and contact information.
We can all do our part to prevent the further spread of COVID19 in our community. Limit your contacts to the same 10 people in your bubble. Stay home if you have tested positive with a rapid or PCR test. While isolating in your home, wear your mask properly, physical distance from others, eat and sleep in a separate room, keep your hands clean, and sanitize surfaces you touched in your shared bathroom, or use a separate bathroom. Monitor yourself for worsening symptoms. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, call 911. For more information about what to do if you test positive, go to https://www.nshealth.ca/testedpositiveforcovid.
How to interpret test results and when you no longer have to isolate -
A negative test is 1 negative PCR test result OR 2 negative rapid tests done at least 48 hours apart.
If you were in contact with a positive case and you had symptoms, you can stop isolating only after you have two negative rapid tests (e.g., 72 hours after exposure and 5 days after exposure).
Fully vaccinated contacts with no symptoms can stop isolating after a first negative rapid test (e.g., 72 hours after exposure), but you need to complete a 2nd rapid test at least 48 hours later (e.g., 5 days after exposure).
Isolating at a hotel – Do not leave your room if isolating at a hotel. Before you check in, call the hotel from your car so that they can prepare for your arrival. You are not allowed to eat breakfast in the hotel breakfast area (a breakfast bag will be delivered to you). For food delivery, ask the deliverer to stop at the front desk to let the hotel know that you are expecting a delivery.
COVID19 Testing Clinic – A COVID19 testing clinic will take place at the Millbrook Gymnasium for band and community members on January 3rd. Rapid tests will be available there to take home. At the Dec 20th testing clinic, 134 people were tested, at the Dec 21st clinic, 86 were tested, and at the Dec 27th clinic, 84 people were tested. We need more people to go to these clinics to get tested.
Vaccine Clinic – A COVID19 vaccine clinic will take place at the health centre on January 12th for those aged 5 and above. Become fully vaccinated (2 doses) and get your booster dose (for those 18 and above). The vaccine is safe and once fully vaccinated, helps lower your chances of becoming hospitalized because of COVID19. The vaccine needs at least 14 days to become protective; it will not protect you right away, so the sooner you get your first, second, or booster dose, the better.
Millbrook Chief and Council
Millbrook has 23 cases of COVID19 with more people waiting to hear if their tests are positive. The number of positive cases will continue to grow for some time. Public Health is determining if there is community spread in Millbrook. Stay home if you do not need to go out. If you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, cough or headache, take a rapid test. If you are a close contact of someone who has COVID19, take a rapid test. If you have been to an exposure site at the time of the exposure, take a rapid test. Rapid tests are available by contacting Millbrook Security. If you get a positive test result (2 lines), contact Chief Gloade or text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779. Then book a confirmatory PCR test by calling 811 or go online at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. Isolate right away and notify your close contacts. Please notify Public Health of your positive rapid test by emailing PublicHealthPOCT@nshealth.ca including your name, date of birth, health card number and contact information.
We can all do our part to prevent the further spread of COVID19 in our community. Limit your contacts to the same 10 people in your bubble. Stay home if you have tested positive with a rapid or PCR test. While isolating in your home, wear your mask properly, physical distance from others, eat and sleep in a separate room, keep your hands clean, and sanitize surfaces you touched in your shared bathroom, or use a separate bathroom. Monitor yourself for worsening symptoms. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, call 911. For more information about what to do if you test positive, go to https://www.nshealth.ca/testedpositiveforcovid.
How to interpret test results and when you no longer have to isolate -
A negative test is 1 negative PCR test result OR 2 negative rapid tests done at least 48 hours apart.
If you were in contact with a positive case and you had symptoms, you can stop isolating only after you have two negative rapid tests (e.g., 72 hours after exposure and 5 days after exposure).
Fully vaccinated contacts with no symptoms can stop isolating after a first negative rapid test (e.g., 72 hours after exposure), but you need to complete a 2nd rapid test at least 48 hours later (e.g., 5 days after exposure).
Isolating at a hotel – Do not leave your room if isolating at a hotel. Before you check in, call the hotel from your car so that they can prepare for your arrival. You are not allowed to eat breakfast in the hotel breakfast area (a breakfast bag will be delivered to you). For food delivery, ask the deliverer to stop at the front desk to let the hotel know that you are expecting a delivery.
COVID19 Testing Clinic – A COVID19 testing clinic will take place at the Millbrook Community Hall for band and community members right after New Year’s. Rapid tests will be available there to take home. At the Dec 20th clinic, 134 people were tested, at the Dec 21st clinic, 86 were tested, and at the Dec 27th clinic, 84 people were tested. We need more people to go to these clinics to get tested.
Vaccine Clinic – A COVID19 vaccine clinic will take place at the health centre during the week of January 10th for those aged 5 and above. Become fully vaccinated (2 doses) and get your booster dose (for those 18 and above). The vaccine is safe and once fully vaccinated, helps lower your chances of becoming hospitalized because of COVID19. The vaccine needs at least 14 days to become protective; it will not protect you right away, so the sooner you get your first, second, or booster dose, the better.
Millbrook Chief and Council
COVID-19 Update – December 27
Public Health has not been able to provide an update of positive cases in Millbrook, but once that is available, we will post that information. If you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, cough or headache, take a rapid test. If you are a close contact of someone who has COVID19, take a rapid test. If you have been to an exposure site at the time of the exposure, take a rapid test. If you get a positive test result (2 lines), contact Chief Gloade or text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779 for the supports you need. Then book a confirmatory PCR test by calling 811 or go online at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. Isolate right away and notify your close contacts. Please notify Public Health of your positive rapid test by emailing PublicHealthPOCT@nshealth.ca including your name, date of birth, health card number and contact information.
We can all do our part to prevent the further spread of COVID19 in our community. Limit your contacts to the same 10 people in your bubble. Stay home if you have tested positive with a rapid or PCR test. While isolating in your home, wear your mask properly, physical distance from others, eat and sleep in a separate room, keep your hands clean, and sanitize surfaces you touched in your shared bathroom, or use a separate bathroom. Monitor yourself for worsening symptoms. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, call 911. For more information about what to do if you test positive, go to https://www.nshealth.ca/testedpositiveforcovid.
How to interpret test results and when you no longer have to isolate -
A negative test is 1 negative PCR test result OR 2 negative rapid tests done at least 48 hours apart.
If you were in contact with a positive case and you had symptoms, you can stop isolating only after you have two negative rapid tests (e.g., 72 hours after exposure and 5 days after exposure).
Fully vaccinated contacts with no symptoms can stop isolating after a first negative rapid test (e.g., 72 hours after exposure), but you need to complete a 2nd rapid test at least 48 hours later (e.g., 5 days after exposure).
Isolating at a hotel – Do not leave your room if isolating at a hotel. Before you check in, call the hotel from your car so that they can prepare for your arrival. You are not allowed to eat breakfast in the hotel breakfast area (a breakfast bag will be delivered to you). For food delivery, ask the deliverer to stop at the front desk to let the hotel know that you are expecting a delivery.
COVID19 Testing Clinic – A COVID19 testing clinic will take place at the Millbrook Community Hall for band and community members on December 27th from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please get tested. Rapid tests will be available there to take home.
Vaccine Clinic – A COVID19 vaccine clinic will take place at the health centre in early January for those aged 5 and above. Become fully vaccinated (2 doses) and get your booster dose if eligible. The vaccine is safe and helps prevent you from getting hospitalized if you get COVID19.
As we come to the end of 2021, remember to be kind to others and yourselves, avoid shaming people for getting COVID19, help one another through this pandemic, and ask for help when you need it.
Millbrook Chief and Council
Public Health COVID-19 Notice to Childcare Community December 23, 2021
Dear Parent/Guardian/Staff,
Public Health is investigating additional COVID-19 exposures at Millbrook Early Education Centre that occurred on December 15 and/or 17. We are working with the childcare centre to make sure all steps are taken to protect children and staff.
Public Health will identify and send a separate letter to anyone who may have been exposed as a close contact. This will be sent through the childcare centre.
Public Health recommends that everyone in the childcare centre carefully watch for COVID-19 symptoms. If symptoms develop, please stay home and complete the online assessment at https://covid- self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en or call 811 if you don’t have access to the internet.
Symptoms include:
• A new or worsening cough OR two or more of the following:
Fever (chills, sweats)
Runny nose/nasal congestion
Sore throat
Headache
Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
Visit novascotia.ca/coronavirus for more information about COVID-19, self-isolating, hand hygiene, using a face mask, and other ways to keep yourself safe.
Thank you,
Public Health, Nova Scotia Health
As you have heard, Millbrook now has its first cases of COVID19 since the start of the pandemic. We have 11 PCR confirmed cases of COVID19, with another 5 people who have tested positive with a rapid test. If you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, cough or headache, take a rapid test. If you have been told that you are a close contact of someone who has COVID19, take a rapid test. If you have been to an exposure site at the time of the exposure, take a rapid test. If you get a positive result on the rapid test, text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779 and he will get you the help and supports you need. Then book a PCR test by calling 811 or go online at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. Isolate right away while you wait for your test AND test results.
We can all do our part to prevent the further spread of COVID19 in our community. Limit your contacts to close family members and those you live with (no more than 10 people in your bubble). Stay away from others if you have tested positive with a rapid or PCR test, wear your mask properly, physical distance, keep your hands clean, sanitize surfaces you touched in the bathroom and doorhandles, and take care of yourself. Eat, sleep and monitor yourself for worsening symptoms. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, call 911.
How to interpret test results and when you no longer have to isolate -
A negative test is 1 negative PCR test result OR 2 negative rapid tests done at least 48 hours apart.
If you were in contact with a positive case and you had symptoms, you can stop isolating only after you have two negative rapid tests (e.g.., 72 hours after exposure and 5 days after exposure).
Fully vaccinated contacts with no symptoms can stop isolating after a first negative rapid test (e.g., 72 hours after exposure), but you need to complete a 2nd rapid test at least 48 hours later (e.g., 5 days after exposure).
Isolating at a hotel – Do not leave your rooms if isolating at a hotel. Before you check in, call the hotel from your car so that they can prepare for your arrival. You are not allowed to eat breakfast in the hotel breakfast area (a breakfast bag will be delivered to you). For food delivery, ask the deliverer to stop at the front desk to let the hotel know that you are expecting a delivery.
COVID19 Testing Clinic – There will be another testing clinic at the Millbrook Community Hall for band and community members on December 27th from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please make an effort to get tested then; rapid tests will be available there to take home.
Vaccine Clinic – The Millbrook Health Centre will have another COVID19 vaccine clinic in early January for those aged 5 and above. Please become fully vaccinated (2 doses) and get your booster dose if eligible. The vaccine is safe and helps prevent you from getting hospitalized if you get COVID19.
As we come to the end of 2021, let’s remember to be kind to others and to ourselves, help one another through this pandemic, and to ask for help when you need it. Be safe and take care.
Millbrook Chief and Council
Public Health COVID-19 Notice to School Community December 22, 2021
Dear Parent/Guardian/Staff,
Public Health is investigating a COVID-19 exposure at Millbrook Early Education Centre that occurred on December 14 and/or 15. We are working with the early education centre to make sure all steps are taken to protect students and staff.
Public Health will identify and send a separate letter to anyone who may have been exposed as a close contact. This will be sent through the early education centre.
Public Health recommends that everyone in the early education centre community carefully watch for COVID-19 symptoms. If symptoms develop, please stay home and complete the online assessment at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en or call 811 if you don’t have access to the internet.
Symptoms include:
• A new or worsening cough OR two or more of the following:
Fever (chills, sweats)
Runny nose/nasal congestion
Sore throat
Headache
Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
Visit novascotia.ca/coronavirus for more information about COVID-19, self-isolating, hand hygiene, using a face mask, and other ways to keep yourself safe.
Thank you,
Public Health, Nova Scotia Health
Revised Notice to the Millbrook Community
Help us to keep COVID19 from spreading in Millbrook. Over the Christmas Break, if you test positive with a Rapid or PCR test, contact Chief Gloade or text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779. We will do our best to provide advice and support. There have been some positive cases at the Millbrook Early Education Centre and a notice has been shared publicly with parents/guardians/staff.
COVID19 Testing Clinic - Nova Scotia Public Health will be doing another COVID19 testing clinic at the Millbrook Community Hall to accommodate those who work during the day. Details to come.
· Keep your social group small and the number of people you see and places you go to a minimum. No more than 10 people are permitted in your bubble and they need to be the same 10 people.
· Don’t go out if you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose or a cough. Do a rapid test and if you test positive, assume you have COVID19. Book a PCR test to confirm. Isolate away from others.
· Use rapid tests according to the instructions included and only when needed. Public Health is no longer advising people who have no symptoms or close contact to use the test. They want only those with symptoms or who have been told that they are a close contact of a positive case to use the rapid test. Rapid tests will no longer be available at public libraries as they are in short supply.
· To get rapid tests in Millbrook, please contact Millbrook Security. Security will deliver rapid tests over the Christmas holidays to those who have COVID19 symptoms or who have been told they are close contacts of a positive case. They will drop them off at your door but you need to be home as the rapid tests cannot be kept in cold temperatures. The Millbrook Health Centre will re-open on January 6th and you will be able to request rapid tests from the health centre then.
· If you have been notified by Public Health that you are a close contact of a positive case, or you had a positive rapid test, book a PCR test by calling 811 or 1-833-797-7772 or https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting
· Public Health or our community health nurse or family doctor will follow up with you if you contact them to notify them that you tested positive with either a Rapid or PCR test. If you prefer to contact only Public Health to notify them that you tested positive with the Rapid or PCR test, email publichealthPOCT@nshealth.ca and give them your name, date of birth, health card number, and the date your test came back positive. They will follow up with you and connect you to supports you need.
· Wear your mask properly (over your nose). Single layer cloth masks are not protective, including the neck scarf type.
· Keep your distance from people (6 feet).
· Limit going to restaurants and bars as people are more likely to be un-masked. To support your local restaurants, get take-out instead.
· Get at least 2 doses of a COVID19 vaccine, and get your booster vaccine when you are eligible. Drop-in vaccine clinics can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/drop-in-vaccine-clinics. Vaccine clinics are available at some pharmacies at https://pans.ns.ca/walk-covid-19-vaccine-clinics. The Millbrook Health Centre will have another COVID19 vaccine clinic in early January. Stay tuned for the date of that clinic.
If you have a question about COVID19, symptoms, testing, vaccines, etc. please call 811 or email COVIDQuestions@nshealth.ca.
If you have a medical emergency, please call 911.
We can all do our part to minimize the impact of COVID19 in our community. Please be safe and Merry Christmas.
The Province is strengthening restrictions around masking, gatherings and physical distancing to protect the healthcare system and other critical workforces from the threat of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
“We did not want to impose more restrictions on Nova Scotians leading into the holidays. But even if illness remains mild, the exponential spread of the Omicron variant is threatening critical workforces like healthcare, fire, police and paramedics,” said Premier Tim Houston. “We need further restrictions to ensure everyone slows down, reins in their socializing, and limits opportunities for the virus to spread. It may mean a smaller Christmas dinner than you’d planned, but it’s better to be small and safe.”
Nova Scotia has announced 2,590 new cases of COVID-19 since December 15, including the highest daily totals since the pandemic started.
“In addition to protecting critical workforces, we have several new hospitalizations in Nova Scotia and we’re seeing concerning trends in other jurisdictions,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia. “With high case numbers, even a very small percentage with severe illness could overload our hospitals. We need to take these steps now to protect those who are most vulnerable and maintain a functional healthcare system in the weeks ahead.”
The updated restrictions below replace the list released last week and are effective at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22. They will be in place until at least January 12 and will be re-evaluated then.
Physical distance and mask requirements
physical distance of two metres (six feet) is required indoors and outdoors, except among people in the same household or a consistent social group of up to 10 people
masks are required in areas of workplaces where physical distance cannot be achieved, as well as common areas, areas where people are serving the public and areas with poor ventilation
people must be seated to remove their mask for eating or drinking; at movie theatres, they must go to a designated area for eating and drinking
all other mask requirements for indoor public places remain, including wearing them when seated for other activities
individuals, businesses and organizations all have responsibility for ensuring mask requirements are followed and can all be subject to enforcement action.
Gathering limits
indoor and outdoor informal gatherings, typically at home, are limited to 10 people from the same household or consistent social group; physical distance and proof of full vaccination are not required; masks are not required except in indoor public places
only virtual events are allowed – there are no in-person events such as festivals, social events, special events (including receptions), sports games or tournaments, or arts and culture performances
a limit of 10 participants indoors and 25 outdoors applies to sports practices and training; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors; spectators are not allowed
a limit of 10 participants indoors and 25 outdoors applies to professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and virtual performances; professionals must have a plan for their workplace; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors; spectators and competitions are not allowed
Nova Scotia children ages 11 and younger continue to be restricted from participating in sports and arts and culture events outside the province
gathering limits of 25 per cent of capacity to a maximum of 50 people indoors and outdoors apply to regular faith services, wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and their associated visitation, movie theatres, meetings and training that are hosted by a recognized business or organization, including faith organizations
regular in-person faith services can only have one person singing; no choirs or congregational singing are allowed
drive-in regular faith services are allowed with no limit on the number of vehicles; the informal gathering limit applies inside each vehicle
indoor and outdoor informal wedding ceremonies and faith gatherings, typically at home, are limited to 10 people from the same household or consistent social group, plus one officiant; physical distance and proof of full vaccination are not required; masks are not required except in indoor public places
indoor and outdoor funeral ceremonies with a maximum of 10 people, plus officiant and funeral home staff, are allowed without proof of full vaccination but masks and physical distance are required; proof of full vaccination is still required for any visitation
day camps can operate with groups of 15 campers, staff and volunteers following day camp guidelines.
Businesses
places like retail businesses, malls, museums, libraries and recreation and leisure businesses and organizations can operate at 50 per cent capacity with physical distance; some examples under recreation and leisure include dance and music lessons, climbing facilities, escape rooms, indoor play places, arcades, golf, shooting ranges and dog training
fitness and recreation facilities can operate at 50 per cent capacity with physical distance; personal training is allowed with as much physical distance as possible
personal services like hair salons can operate at the maximum capacity possible with physical distancing but cannot offer services that require removing masks
food establishments and liquor-licensed establishments can operate at 50 per cent capacity, they must have physical distance between tables; barriers may only be used to achieve 50 per cent capacity but not exceed it; there is a limit of 10 people per table; they must stop dine-in service at 11 p.m. and close by midnight; takeout, drive-thru and delivery can operate later; only one performer is allowed
Casino Nova Scotia and First Nations gaming centres can operate at 50 per cent capacity; people playing VLTs must be at least two metres (6 feet) apart; these gaming establishments must stop dine-in service at 11 p.m. and close by midnight
activities like cards, darts, pool, bowling and karaoke follow the rules for the setting where they take place, either in licensed establishments or recreation and leisure businesses
bingo follows the rules for licensed establishments when in that setting; bingo in non-licensed establishments is a special event which is not allowed.
Long-term care
a limit of two visitors at a time with long-term care residents; it must be the same two visitors all the time
it is strongly recommended that visitors have a rapid test within 24 hours of the visit if possible
visitors can have quick close contact like a hug but then need to stay physically distanced for the rest of the visit
the requirement for visitors to wear masks and be fully vaccinated, except for end-of-life visits, remains
even if they are fully vaccinated, residents can only leave the facility for medical appointments or for a drive in a facility or visitor’s vehicle with no stops and no contact with other people outside the facility
only residents who are eligible and have had a booster dose can access service providers for recreational activities and personal services like hairstyling
residents can attend regular faith services in the facility; the room can have 25 per cent capacity to a maximum of 10 people; only one singer; no choirs or congregational singing are allowed
if possible, residents should be in consistent groups for dining and activities.
Residents in Disability Support Program homes licensed under the Homes for Special Care Act have the same visitor restrictions as residents in long-term care but can continue to leave the facility as long as they are fully vaccinated. It is strongly recommended that they have a booster dose if they are eligible.
There is no change in the requirement for proof of full vaccination for discretionary activities. It is still required for attendees and volunteers, even in places where gathering limits and physical distance will apply.
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia coronavirus website: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
For more information about COVID-19 testing and online booking, visit: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus or 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)
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)
Anyone with a non-crisis mental health or addiction concern can call Community Mental Health and Addictions at 1-855-922-1122 (toll-free) weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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)
We are announcing to our Millbrook community members today that a second confirmed COVID-19 case has been confirmed. This new positive case is likely to be unrelated to the Millbrook Christmas party, we notified you of recently.
This is a reminder while we want you to have a joyous Christmas holiday and be with loved ones, please be mindful of keeping your circle small, wear your mask, practice social distancing and continue to get tested.
The Health Centre has ordered more rapid tests and will have them delivered to homes within the community by next week. There is no date / time as of yet – stay tuned; alternatively, you can go to the nearest Library.
We wish you a safe and Merry Christmas! Please continue to be kind and support one another.