NS to remove remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including isolation for positive cases | Globalnews.ca

Nova Scotia is moving to lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions this week, including a mandatory self-isolation period for those who test positive.

In a statement Monday, Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s medical director of health, said “this is the right time” to scrap the remaining rules. They will get up on Wednesday.

“Although we expect to see smaller waves of COVID-19 variants over the summer, our high vaccine coverage and low risk of serious illness from Omicron variants make it manageable as we learn to live with COVID-19,” he said. Strange.

“The pandemic is not over. But Nova Scotians have the tools and resources to make the right decisions to stay safe.”

Starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, isolation will go from “mandatory” to “strongly recommended” for people who test positive for COVID-19 and those with symptoms. Currently, people who have COVID-19 must self-isolate for seven days from the positive test or the onset of symptoms.

“It is still important for people with symptoms to avoid high-risk settings and people at higher risk,” the statement said.

“If a workplace has occupational health policies that are stricter than general public health recommendations, such as mandatory mask wearing or isolation requirements, people should follow those policies.”

Most restrictions in high-risk settings, such as health care facilities, will remain in place, according to the statement.

Also from that date, guidance on the use of masks will change from “strongly recommended” to “optional”, although they are still strongly recommended for those who are sick or in a crowded outdoor environment.

trending stories

• Blue Jays mourn death of coach’s daughter

• Canadians fighting in Ukraine ask for more equipment

It is also strongly recommended that those who have symptoms of COVID-19 but cannot self-isolate wear a well-fitting mask in closed public places, on public transportation, and in crowded areas.

“It is up to each person to wear a mask, weighing their risk and comfort factors and those of the people around them,” the statement said.

Testing and high-risk environments

The province said those with symptoms will still have access to COVID-19 testing at centers across the province, but those without symptoms will no longer be offered testing.

In addition, those with symptoms that fall into a low-risk category on their self-assessment will only have access to rapid tests and will not have a PCR test, even if they test positive on a rapid test.

Higher-risk individuals and those who work or live in a higher-risk congregate setting can still access PCR testing.

Rapid tests will still be available for pickup at public libraries and MLA offices, but those who are sick should not go, according to the statement.

Additionally, designated visitors and caregivers in long-term care, correctional, and shelter and transition settings will no longer need proof of vaccination to visit. They will also be able to remove their masks when visiting a private or outdoor area.

Seven-day isolation will still be required for residents who test positive for COVID-19, according to the statement, and the COVID-19 mandatory vaccination protocol for high-risk settings stays in place.

Move to monthly reports

Also, starting this month, the province will move to a monthly COVID-19 report, which will be published online. The province had been producing weekly reports since March and daily updates before then.

“The report will be produced on the 15th of each month and will reflect the epidemiology of COVID-19 in the province during the previous month,” the Monday statement said.

“The first monthly report will be for June and will be available on July 15.”

The COVID-19 dashboard will continue to be updated weekly, the province added.

In its latest weekly report last Thursday, Nova Scotia reported four COVID-19-related deaths, 1,491 new laboratory-confirmed cases, and 28 hospitalizations.

More to come.