Masks are Mandatory beginning July 31, 2020

MASKS MANDATORY

By order of the provincial government, non-medical masks are mandatory beginning July 31, 2020. All visitors to any municipal Victoria County site are required to wear a mask.

In addition to wearing a mask, please continue these very important Covid-19 safety measures:

• Maintain a 6 foot distance between people
• Wash hand frequently
• Follow cough & sneeze etiquette
• If sick, stay home

New Mask Rules effective July 31, 2020

New Mask Rules effective July 31, 2020

(exerpt from Nova Scotia Government COvid 19 page:https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/staying-healthy/#masks)

Wearing a non-medical mask

New requirement to wear a non-medical mask in most indoor public places starts on 31 July 2020. Children under 2 are exempt, as well as children 2 to 4 when their caregiver can't get them to wear a mask. People with a valid medical reason for not wearing a mask are also exempt. Schools, day cares and day camps continue to follow their sector-specific plans.

When to wear a mask

All passengers and drivers on public transportation are required to wear non-medical masks. Children under 2 are exempt, as well as children 2 to 4 when their caregiver can't get them to wear a mask. People with a valid medical reason for not wearing a mask are also exempt. Public transportation includes:

• municipally operated public transit (buses and ferries)
• school buses and vehicles operated by private schools
• community transit vehicles (like community operated buses)
• commercial vehicles like shuttle vans (excluding vehicles providing charters and tours)
• taxis
• vehicles serving residents and staff at long-term care facilities

Even if you don’t have symptoms, you should wear a non-medical mask whenever you’re in places where it’s hard to maintain social distance (like public transportation, stores, elevators and gatherings).

You should wear a non-medical mask unless you have a medical reason for not wearing a mask (like people with cognitive or developmental disabilities who can’t wear a mask). Children under the age of 2 shouldn’t wear a mask.

There are very few reasons not to wear a mask. Wearing a mask doesn’t worsen chronic lung conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you have chronic breathing problems or a mental health condition that creates anxiety, you may need to work on ways to overcome the anxiety (like practicing wearing a mask for short periods of time at home).
How to wear and make a mask

Learn more about non-medical masks, how to make a non-medical mask and how to wear a non-medical mask.
Additional safety measures

Using a mask alone isn’t enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You should also make sure to keep your hands clean, follow cough and sneeze etiquette and social distancing guidelines and stay home if you’re feeling sick.

Atlantic 'Bubble' announced

Bubbles Expanding

Bubbles Expanding; Hugs allowed

On June 18, the Nova Scotia government announced that people can now gather in groups of up to 10 without physical distancing. People in a group are not required to be exclusive but they are strongly encouraged to maintain a consistent group. This is especially important for Nova Scotians who are more at risk of complications from COVID-19. This change replaces the concept of family household bubbles.

Gatherings of up to 50 will now be allowed but people must observe physical distancing of two metres or six feet.

The larger gathering limit of 50 applies to social events, faith gatherings, sports and physical activity, weddings and funerals, and arts and culture events like theatre performances, dance recitals, festivals and concerts.

For more information: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20200618004

Safe Work Guidelines

Safe Practice Guidelines for Work Places

As businesses prepare to reopen, here are some guidelines for best practises provided by the NS government: Safe Practise Guidelines for Work Places.

From the Province

From the Province:

Effective June 5, most businesses required to close under the public health order can reopen. Businesses must follow protocols in the plan that is tailored to their sector.

This includes following public health protocols to ensure physical distancing, increased cleaning and other protective measures for staff and customers.

The following can open if they are ready and choose to do so:

• restaurants for dine-in, as well as takeout and delivery
• bars, wineries, distilleries and taprooms
• lounges are not permitted to reopen at this time
• personal services, such as hair salons, barber shops, spas, nail salons and body art establishments
• fitness facilities, such as gyms, yoga studios and climbing facilities
• veterinarians

Other health providers can also reopen on June 5, provided they follow protocols in their colleges’ and associations’ plans, as approved by public health. These include:

• dentistry and other self-regulated health professions such as optometry, chiropractic and physiotherapy
• unregulated health professions such as massage therapy, podiatry and naturopathy

Nova Scotians are encouraged to continue to:

• wash their hands frequently, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is unavailable
• cough or sneeze into their sleeve
• avoid touching their face
• limit non-essential travel
• clean high touch surfaces frequently
• wear a non-medical mask when it may be difficult to maintain two metres distance