Nova Scotia will not be moving to Phase 5 of its COVID-19 reopening plan tomorrow, as originally targeted.
The new goal date is Oct. 4, which coincides with the beginning of the province’s proof of full vaccination policy for certain events and activities.
Health Minister Michelle Thompson made the announcement at a news briefing alongside Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health for the province.
Thompson said rising cases and two clusters — one in Northern Zone and one in Central Zone — is not the kind of epidemiology the province wants to see as the province enters Phase 5.
“The premier and I are very troubled by this,” she said.
The move to Phase 5 would have lifted most pandemic-related restrictions, including masking mandates and social distancing rules. The step was contingent on having 75 per cent of the population fully vaccinated, but so far, only 72.7 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated.
However, Strang said that figure isn’t what’s holding the province back.
“The reason that we’re delaying moving from Phase 4 to Phase 5 is not because of our vaccination,” he said.
“We’ve had a rapidly evolving situation in the Maritime provinces in the last few days including Nova Scotia.”
Thompson said staying in Phase 4 is “necessary” until the added protection of the proof of vaccine policy.
“It is better to keep the status quo for a little while longer than to ignore these cases and move into the next phase,” she said.
“Doing that could mean bringing in far stricter restrictions later and slipping backwards. Nobody wants that.”
New cases
Nova Scotia reported 66 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, the highest single-day increase since May 23.
The majority of new cases — 61 — are in the Northern Zone. Two are related to travel and 59 are close contacts of previous cases.
During Tuesday’s news briefing, Strang said the large cluster of linked cases is part of a “significant community” where people “interact mostly among themselves.” He said he couldn’t reveal much information about the community for privacy reasons, but did note it has a young demographic.
“By choice, they are not vaccinated,” he said. “They have a significant spread of COVID within the community.”
Strang said there is no spread beyond the group at this point, and that members have been co-operative with Public Health. He added that out of “well over 100” cases in the community, there have been three hospitalizations.
The remaining five new cases are in the Central Zone. Three are close contacts of previously reported cases and two are related to travel.
The province notes that there are signs of community spread in this zone in people aged 20 to 40 who are unvaccinated and “participating in social activities.”
There have been 18 recoveries since Monday and the active case count has risen to 173, which include four people in hospital. Nova Scotia Health labs completed 2,543 tests on Monday.
Proof of vaccination details
Strang also released more details about the proof of full vaccination policy, which comes into effect on Oct. 4.
As of that date, people aged 12 and older will need proof to take part in events and activities “that brings groups of people together.”
That includes people taking part in full-service restaurants, both indoors and outdoors, but not fast food or drive-thru outlets.
It also includes casinos, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, concerts, movie theatres, sports competitions or tournaments, museums, public libraries and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
Indoor or outdoor weddings, funerals, receptions and visitations hosted by a recognized business or organization will also fall under the policy. However, a private backyard wedding, for example, would not.
Proof will not be required for employees of the businesses and organizations that offer these events or services.
Other places where proof is not required includes retail stores, banks, hair salons, spas, doctors’ offices, hotels, faith services or school-based activities taking place during the school day.
As well, Strang said there will be a grace period for children who have just turned 12 or are turning 12. Children turning 12 after Oct. 4 will have a three month period after their birthday before they have to show proof.
Strang took the opportunity to stress the importance of vaccination and urged those who haven’t to do so now.
“Personal choice cannot be all you think about when it comes to COVID vaccines. I would ask that you think about others,” Strang said.
“We are experiencing a pandemic of the unvaccinated. Because of the risk of further spread, we’re having to slow down our reopening.”
Rising cases in other Maritime provinces
New Brunswick has seen a rise in cases, especially among students not old enough to be vaccinated — prompting school closures and new rules.
P.E.I. has also been seeing a “concerning” outbreak among young students.
Provincial and health officials in those provinces have also urged eligible residents to get vaccinated, in order to protect those under age 12 who are not yet eligible.