Skip to content

Nova Scotia announces mandatory quarantine for public sector staff and students returning from outside Canada

Brian Johnston, QC and Jennifer Thompson

In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, Premier Stephen McNeil and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robert Strang have announced that all public sector employees who have travelled outside Canada must self-isolate for 14 days following their return to Canada before they are allowed to come back to the workplace. These employees will be paid during the quarantine period.

The requirement to self-isolate also applies to students returning from travel outside Canada, who must also self-isolate for 14 days before returning to school or daycare. This applies regardless of whether their parents or caregivers are public sector employees. Schools will otherwise be re-opening as usual after March break for those students who have not been outside Canada. There will be measures in place to limit large gatherings, with school concerts and assemblies prohibited.

The province is also recommending that large gatherings of more than 150 people not occur, although this is not mandatory at this stage.

The premier has encouraged private sector employers to take the same steps, namely requiring all employees returning from travel outside Canada to self-isolate for 14 days and minimizing large gatherings. The premier also asked that private sector employers support their employees in the same way that the province is supporting public sector employees, suggesting that they should consider continuing to pay them through the period of self-isolation.

As of March 13, 2020 there are no cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. However, Dr. Strang emphasized that “If we wait until it’s here, it’s too late”, calling on the public to take the steps required to protect the wider community. The government has indicated that it will revisit the measures as necessary.


This article is provided for general information only. If you have any questions about the above, please contact a member of our Labour and Employment Group.

Click here to subscribe to Stewart McKelvey Thought Leadership.

SHARE

Archive

Search Archive


 
 

Hiring the “Right” Employee

February 24, 2016

By Lisa Gallivan Employees can be your biggest asset, if you hire the right people. This can often be one of the biggest decisions that you make as a business owner or employer. The “right” employee…

Read More

Bye, Bye Canadian P.I.?: What Apple’s fight against the FBI means for the protection of Personal Information in Canada

February 23, 2016

By Burtley Francis and Kathleen Leighton Order Up: Apple, P.I. Recently, the public safety versus personal privacy debate has been brought to main headlines. Apple is facing a court order (available here) requiring the company to assist the FBI in the investigation of…

Read More

Client Update: Outlook for the 2016 Proxy Season

February 12, 2016

In preparing for the 2016 proxy season, you should be aware of some regulatory changes and institutional investor guidance that may impact disclosure to and interactions with your shareholders. This update highlights what is new…

Read More

Left Sharks and Copy Cats: The Super Bowl’s Impact on Protecting a Brand

February 5, 2016

By Burtley Francis and Michael MacIsaac You remember Left Shark… The Super Bowl is a lot of things to a lot of people and is arguably the most anticipated event of the year that is not a holiday…

Read More

The Labour Relations of First Nations’ Fisheries: Who gets to decide?

February 2, 2016

By Jennifer Taylor Summary The Canada Industrial Relations Board recently held that it had no jurisdiction as a federal board to certify a bargaining unit comprised of fisheries employees of the Waycobah First Nation. The decision…

Read More

Can an employer prohibit tattoos and piercings?

January 21, 2016

By Peter McLellan, QC In the 1970s the issue for employers was long hair and sideburns. In the 1980’s it was earrings for men. Today the employer’s concerns are with tattoos and facial piercings. What are…

Read More

Settling for it: Two new NS decisions on settlement agreements and releases

January 15, 2016

By Jennifer Taylor Introduction It sounds simple: Two disputing parties, hoping to resolve their disagreement without drawn-out court proceedings, will mutually agree to a settlement on clear terms; release each other from all claims; and move…

Read More

Labour and Employment Legislative Update 2015

December 23, 2015

2015 ends with changes in workplace laws that our region’s employers will want to be aware of moving into 2016. Some legislation has been proclaimed and is in force, some has passed and will be…

Read More

Client Update: Make Your List and Check it Twice: IRAC Sends a Holiday Reminder to Municipalities

December 23, 2015

The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (the “Commission”) has issued a holiday reminder to municipalities in Prince Edward Island about the importance of preparation, accuracy, and transparency when making decisions related to land use and…

Read More

Nova Scotia Government Introduces Public Services Sustainability (2015) Act

December 16, 2015

By Brian G. Johnston, QC On the same day that the Nova Scotia government announced its projected deficit had ballooned to $241 million, it also introduced Bill 148, the Public Services Sustainability (2015) Act (“Act”). The stated purposes…

Read More

Search Archive


Scroll To Top