Nursing homes have 30 days to fill vacant beds, or face financial penalties of more than $100 per empty space.

The Northwood review outlines 17 recommendations to address before the second wave, after 53 residents died following a COVID-19 outbreak in the facility.

The outbreak at Northwood saw 345 residents and staff at the long-term care home become sick and 53 residents died.

Dr. Robert Strang says measures currently in place around border entry, the mandatory use of masks in most indoor areas and the required testing of students returning to universities and colleges has the province "well positioned for what's to come."

The families of residents in long-term care homes say the government must lift visitor restrictions further, while their loved ones still have time.

Protestors rallied outside a Halifax long-term care home and called on the province to ease strict visitor restrictions they say are doing more harm than good.

Officials said they are looking to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic, including the need to isolate, support and care for residents with COVID-19 if another outbreak occurs.

Leader Tim Houston says COVID-19 has "shone a light" on the importance of single rooms for long-term care residents when it comes to infection control.

A protest was held Tuesday in front of a Halifax long-term care home calling on the province to ease visitor restrictions so families can more easily see their loved ones.

'Let's have it all be open and do a public inquiry. It's not about people getting sued. It's about improving the long-term care system.'