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

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.

“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.

2:58 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.

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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.

“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.

2:02 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.”

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.

2:16 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.

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.