Skip to Content

Nova Scotia unveils reopening plan

Katharine Mack

Premier Ian Rankin and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang provided details on Nova Scotia’s reopening plan this afternoon.

The Province’s plan has a total of 5 phases. Phase 1, which focuses on more outdoor activities and small groups, will begin on Wednesday, June 2.  The following rules and restrictions will apply:

  • Schools will reopen to in-person learning across the province, with exceptions in Halifax and Sydney regions. Exceptions will be made for students with complex needs.
  • People are asked to limit travel in and out of Halifax and Cape Breton municipalities during Phase 1. Travel throughout the rest of Nova Scotia is allowed.
  • The outdoor gathering limit will be capped at 10 consistent people.  Indoor gathering limits will not be changing.
  • Outdoor patios may open with physical distancing. Maximum 10 people (close social bubble) per table.
  • All retail can open at 25% capacity with physical distancing/mask requirements.
  • Personal care services can open for appointment-only services, following sector-specific plans. In Phase 1 they cannot offer services which require the client to remove their mask.
  • Gyms and fitness centres can offer outdoor programs for groups up to 10. They can offer indoor training one-on-one (multiple groups of one-on-one are permitted if distancing allows).
  • Arts, cultures, sports and recreation can resume outdoor activities in groups of 10. Multiple groups of 10 are allowed. No games, league play or performances will be allowed in Phase 1.
  • Artists, musicians, dancers and actors can rehearse indoors up to 15 people as long as they have a COVID safety plan.
  • People in long-term care homes can visit with family outdoors.  Distancing is not required if the resident has had two vaccine doses.  Fully vaccinated residents can resume recreational activities on site and participate in visits by specialized workers and volunteers (e.g. hairstyles and faith leaders).
  • Work from home is encouraged where possible during Phase 1.

The restriction on non-essential travel outside your own communities remains in effect until June 1.

Each phase is expected to last 2-4 weeks, but could take longer if needed.

The Atlantic Bubble is expected to open in Phase 3. Phase 4 will allow travelers from outside Atlantic Canada to enter.

Both Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick also released reopening plans this week. PEI hopes to open its borders to travellers from within Atlantic Canada by June 27, while New Brunswick plans to open its borders to all Atlantic provinces except Nova Scotia on June 7.

Archive

Non-disclosure agreements: A sword or a shield?

Murray L. Murphy, K.C., CPHR, Katharine Mack and Kate Profit Non-Disclosure Agreements (“NDAs”), legal contracts in which the parties agree to keep information outlined in the agreement strictly confidential, have been the subject…

Read More

What are deceptive design patterns (DDPs)?

Charlotte Henderson and Kaitlyn Clarke Interested in understanding the impacts of AI on your business? Looking to understand how these intersect with concerns around privacy? Curious about the impacts of…

Read More

Effectively identifying and navigating subtle discrimination: A must-do list for employers

By Lynn Iding, CPHR, CCIP and Sheila Mecking Interested in understanding the impacts of subtle discrimination on your business? Curious about the latest legal developments in racial discrimination? Looking to…

Read More

Summary of Bill 14 – Act to Amend the Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act

By Sheila Mecking and Danielle Bailey-Heelan On March 25, 2025, Bill 14 was introduced by the Acting Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour to amend the Fair Registration Practices…

Read More

Enforceable equal wages: More changes for federal employers

BY Tiegan A. Scott & Sophie Poulos

By Tiegan A. Scott and Sophie Poulos The Canada Labour Code (the “Code”) may soon require federally regulated employers to review the wage rates of certain employees under Equal Treatment…

Read More

At a glance: Key changes coming to Prince Edward Island’s Employment Standards Act

Murray L. Murphy, K.C., CPHR and Jacob E. Zelman Prince Edward Island’s new Employment Standards Act (“ESA”) received Royal Assent on November 29, 2024, with an effective date to be to…

Read More

Making AI work for your business

Sarah Dever Letson and Lauren Agnew Interested in understanding the impacts of AI on your business? Looking to understand how these intersect with concerns around privacy and cybersecurity? Curious about…

Read More

Navigating the “Towns Act”: Key changes and transition considerations for towns in Newfoundland and Labrador

BY Stephen Penney & Danielle Harris

By Stephen Penney and Danielle Harris Introduction On January 1, 2025, the Towns and Local Service Districts Act (the “Towns Act”) came into effect, changing the legislative landscape for towns…

Read More

Dealing with Canadian “retaliatory” tariffs: A primer for importers

BY Michelle Chai & Graeme Hiebert

By Michelle Chai & Graeme Hiebert In response to the 25% tariffs levied on virtually all Canadian goods by the United States, Canada has announced United States Surtax Order (2025-1)…

Read More

Balancing inclusivity and workplace safety

BY Sheila Mecking & Lauren Sorel

By Sheila Mecking and Lauren Sorel Introduction Arbitrator Trisha Perry addressed the complex interests between inclusive education and workplace safety in a recent decision (New Brunswick Teachers’ Federation v New…

Read More

Search Archive