Skip to content

The bubble has burst: New restrictions announced for Nova Scotia

Katharine Mack

After a relatively carefree Atlantic summer, the bubble has officially burst: as COVID-19 cases begin to rise, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador have all announced that they will be pulling out of the “Atlantic Bubble” this week.

In addition, Premier Stephen McNeil and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang announced on November 24 a number of new restrictions for Nova Scotia, which came into force at 12:01 a.m. on November 26. These restrictions will continue for two weeks, expiring December 9, with the possibility of further extension. There are now new rules in place for both individuals and businesses. Some of the new rules apply only to the greater Halifax Regional Municipality (“HRM”), while others apply province-wide.

The new rules include the following:

Restrictions for businesses within HRM

  • Restaurants and licenced establishments must close for in-person dining, but may provide take-out or delivery;
  • Retail stores must restrict shoppers and staff to 25% or less of allowable capacity;
  • Wineries, distilleries and breweries cannot hold tastings or in-person dining and must follow retail rules in their stores (delivery and curbside pickup are allowed);
  • Profit and non-profit fitness and recreational facilities must close;
  • Personal services businesses (e.g., hairstylists, estheticians, nail salons) may not provide services which require a client to remove their mask;
  • Libraries and museums must close; and
  • The casino and First Nations gaming establishments must close.

Restrictions for individuals within HRM

  • Gathering limits indoors are reduced to five individuals (gatherings of up to 10 remain permissible within the rest of the province);
  • Masks must be worn in common areas of multi-unit residential buildings;
  • Stronger enforcement of illegal gatherings, including ticketing of all attendees (total fine of $1,000); and
  • Organized sports, recreational, athletic, arts and cultural activities, and faith-based activities are paused.

Province-wide restrictions

  • Nova Scotians are being asked to avoid non-essential travel in and out of western and central HRM and to other Atlantic provinces;
  • No visitors except volunteers and designated caregivers are permitted in long-term care facilities;
  • Sports teams are restricted to local or regional play only; and
  • Schools, after-school programs and childcare will remain open, but there will be no extracurricular activities between schools.

The province has announced that a one-time grant of up to $5,000 is being made available to support businesses in HRM and Hants County that have been ordered by Public Health to temporarily close effective November 26, including small, independently owned dine-in restaurants, bars, and fitness and leisure establishments.

Eligible businesses will receive a one-time grant of 15% of their average monthly gross revenues for April 2019, or from February 2020 if it is a new business, up to a maximum of $5,000.

Businesses must experience a revenue decrease of 30% or more in November as a result of the ongoing impacts of the public health order or expect at least a 30% decrease in revenues in December 2020 resulting from the new measures.

This program is a targeted continuation of the Small Business Impact Grant and is funded through the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Response Council. The application process will open in the coming weeks.

SHARE

Archive

Search Archive


 
 

Client Update: Truth or Consequences – The New Duty of Honest Performance in Commercial Contracts

November 17, 2014

The Supreme Court of Canada’s unanimous decision in the breach of contract case Bhasin v Hrynew, 2014 SCC 71 was released on November 13, 2014. The case is important in the law of contracts because…

Read More

Client Update: Recent Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

August 28, 2014

On June 20, 2014, the Government of Canada announced a series of reforms to overhaul the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (“TFWP”). These reforms, many of which are effective immediately, function to: Re-organize the TFWP  The…

Read More

Atlantic Employers’ Counsel – Summer 2014

August 1, 2014

The Editor’s Corner Clarence Bennett Summer is halfway over, but we know you will want to take this edition along with you while you enjoy more summer weather and time out of the office. Employers…

Read More

Client Update – Tsilhqot’in Nation – An East Coast Perspective

July 9, 2014

On June 26, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada released one of the most significant aboriginal law decisions since Marshall – Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44 (also known as the William decision).  This decision could have…

Read More

Client Update: Nova Scotia Supreme Court awards $500,000 in Punitive Damages in LTD case

July 9, 2014

In Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. v. Brine, 2014 NSSC 219, National Life (and later its successor Industrial Alliance) alleged Brine had received undisclosed CPP and Superannuation disability benefits resulting in a substantial overpayment of…

Read More

Client Update: One final reminder – Are You Ready for Anti-Spam?

June 20, 2014

Any individual, business or organization that uses email, text messages or social networks to promote their products and services should take note of Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation and its accompanying regulations. Effective July 1, 2014, the…

Read More

Doing Business in Atlantic Canada (Summer 2014)(Canadian Lawyer magazine supplement)

June 17, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE: Consistent Use: The Collection of Union Members’ Personal Information by their Union by Alison Strachan and Jonah Clements. Single Incident of Offensive and Threatening Facebook Post is Just Cause by Harold Smith, QC. The New Anti-Spam Law –…

Read More

Surprise Amendments to the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Act

June 3, 2014

 Yesterday, Monday June 2, 2014, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador introduced brand new (and unexpected) amendments to the Labour Relations Act. The full text of the proposed amendment can be accessed here. Bill 22, if it…

Read More

Doing Business in Atlantic Canada

May 26, 2014

Download as a PDF

Read More

Doing Business in Atlantic Canada

May 26, 2014

Download as a PDF

Read More

Search Archive


Scroll To Top