Advertisement

Nova Scotia introduces new measures for travellers from outside the Atlantic bubble

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus: Nova Scotia reports 1 new travel-related COVID-19 case, imposes new restrictions'
Coronavirus: Nova Scotia reports 1 new travel-related COVID-19 case, imposes new restrictions
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil reported one new case of COVID-19 on Monday – a person travelling from the U.S. to Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) through Halifax. He said people travelling into Nova Scotia from outside of the Atlantic bubble, which is comprised of the four Atlantic Canadian provinces), will be required to provide an address where they will self-isolate and a phone number where they can be reached 24/7. If health authorities couldn’t reach them after three phone calls, police will be asked to do in-person check to make sure the person is self-isolating – Jul 6, 2020

Nova Scotia reported one new case of the coronavirus on Monday, stating that currently there are four active cases in the province.

According to the government, the new case is related to travel outside Canada. The individual does not reside in Nova Scotia but was passing through from the United States to Prince Edward Island.

“As they are still within the 14-day isolation period required by the federal Quarantine Act, they are now being quarantined under federal authority in Nova Scotia,” the province said in a statement.

At a press briefing, Premier Stephen McNeil said the new case is an individual who has a student visa and was travelling to P.E.I. to attend school. They were turned away at the Confederation Bridge because they didn’t have the form filled out.

Story continues below advertisement

“I am as frustrated as all of you. We have worked hard together and sacrificed so much to help flatten the curve only to have some people come into the province and think the rules don’t apply to them,” said McNeil.

In response to having some people not self-isolating for 14 days, McNeil announced that anyone coming from outside the Atlantic bubble must provide the address where they’ll be self-isolating and a phone number where they can be reached 24/7.

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus: Nova Scotia reports 1 new travel-related COVID-19 case, imposes new restrictions'
Coronavirus: Nova Scotia reports 1 new travel-related COVID-19 case, imposes new restrictions

“If they are in self-isolation, they must be able to get the call,” he said.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Travellers coming from outside the Atlantic bubble must also fill out a form and present it as the border. They’ll also receive a followup call every day for 14 days to make sure they are self-isolating.

Story continues below advertisement

“If we can’t locate them after three tries, police will be called to make an in-person check,” McNeil said.

Dr. Robert Strang, who was also at the press briefing, said public health is in the process of doing all contact tracing to understand where the individual may have been between June 26 and July 4.

“We don’t have any conclusive information at this point,” said Strang.

Click to play video: '1 new coronavirus case identified in Nova Scotia, total active cases at 4'
1 new coronavirus case identified in Nova Scotia, total active cases at 4

Strang said all Nova Scotians must be wearing masks to protect themselves and others.

“I’m appealing to all Nova Scotians to please take this seriously… and wear a non-medical mask when necessary.”

Story continues below advertisement

He said people must try and normalize mask-wearing as quickly as possible before the second wave arrives.

“We have to respect COVID-19 and do what we can to minimize a chance of a substantive resurgence,” said Strang.

The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 178 Nova Scotia tests on July 5 and is operating 24 hours a day.

Click to play video: 'Atlantic Canadian provinces lift restrictions, begin travel bubble'
Atlantic Canadian provinces lift restrictions, begin travel bubble

According to the province, there are no licensed long-term care homes in Nova Scotia with active cases of COVID-19.

To date, Nova Scotia has 55,113 negative test results, 1,065 positive COVID-19 cases and 63 deaths.

Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are now 998 resolved cases, said the province.

Story continues below advertisement

Two people are currently in hospital. Both patients’ COVID-19 infections are considered resolved but they are being treated in hospital.

Cases have been identified in all parts of the province.

The province said anyone who has travelled outside of Atlantic Canada must self-isolate for 14 days.

Sponsored content

AdChoices