Nova Scotia to make masks mandatory in indoor public spaces

Nova Scotia has not reported a new case of coronavirus in nine days and the province on Friday announced that masks will be mandatory in the majority of public indoor spaces beginning July 31, reports Global News.

“As we open our economy, our schools and our communities, we must continue to be vigilant to minimize the impact of a second wave of COVID-19,” said Premier McNeil during Friday’s press briefing.

“Wearing a non-medical mask in most indoor public places is a key part of how we protect each other and support our local businesses so they can stay open for the long run.”

The province only has one case of coronavirus at the moment and roughly 1,003 people have recovered .

Children below the age of two are exempt from the order and children between the ages of two and four are also exempt when their caregiver does not supply one for them. Other exemptions include people who can’t wear masks due to health concerns.

The indoor public places listed by N.S. include:

• Retail businesses.
• Shopping centres.
• Personal services businesses such as hair and nail salons, spas and body art facilities, except during services that require removing a mask.
• Restaurants and bars, except while people are eating or drinking.
• Places of worship or faith gatherings.
• Places for cultural or entertainment services or activities such as movie theatres, concerts and other performances.
• Places for sports and recreational activities such as a gym, pool or indoor tennis facility, except while doing an activity where a mask cannot be worn.
• Places for events such as conferences and receptions.
• Municipal or provincial government locations offering services to the public.
• Common areas of tourist accommodations such as lobbies, elevators and hallways.
• Common areas of office buildings such as lobbies, elevators and hallways, but not private offices.
• Public areas of a university or college campus, such as a library or student union building, but not classrooms, labs, offices or residences.
• Train or bus stations, ferry terminals and airports.

“Nova Scotians have made a habit of all the other core public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and now it’s time to also make a habit of wearing a non-medical mask in most indoor public settings,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer.

“I have confidence that Nova Scotians will do the right thing and take care of each other by wearing masks in these settings.”

There were 677 tests completed by the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s lab—which runs 24 hours a day—on Thursday.

No N.S. long-term care homes currently have active coronavirus cases and the province’s hospitals have no coronavirus patients.

N.S. has reported a total of 61,626 negative tests, 1,067 positive cases, one active case and 63 deaths.

The province is asking residents to wear their own purchased masks though it added that it will help those who are unable to bring their own.

People are currently allowed to travel between New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island without self-isolating.