COVID-19 Update for CANS Members
The following message was sent Friday, May 7, 2021. We encourage CANS member firms to review the relevant recommendations and follow current public health measures.
Impact on Construction
Concerning today’s announcement from the province, the Department of Labour and Advanced Education (DLAE) have reiterated that the new restrictions do not change how construction is viewed in terms of being seen as essential. The following guidance was provided for the construction industry:
- Hardware stores, which would include building supplies and workplace safety supplies are still deemed essential.
- Attention should be given to the isolation requirements for rotational workers, incoming from outbreak zones.
It goes without saying, that strict adherence to preventative protocols has never been more important. Social distancing must be respected and is required when interacting with safety officers from DLAE.
Current & Updated Restrictions
Restrictions on travel to Nova Scotia – New border measures will take effect at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 10, and will be in place until at least the end of the month:
- Nova Scotia’s border will close to people intending to move here
- the border will close to people coming from Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador; it was closed previously to non-essential travel from other provinces
The following people will be allowed to enter Nova Scotia:
- permanent residents returning to the province
- people who work outside the province
- post-secondary students returning home or entering to study; parents from outside Nova Scotia are not allowed pick students up or drop them off
- people traveling for child custody reasons, following the child custody protocol
- people who are exempt from self-isolation, following the exempt traveler protocol (for example, long-haul truck drivers, airline crew, first responders, people needing essential health services)
- people who follow the protocol for travel between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for work, school and child care only
Nova Scotia Safe Check-in process – An application process will be added to the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in by May 14 for most travelers. An application process is already in place for specialized workers who are needed for urgent critical infrastructure work that’s crucial for the province to function. Business requests for other workers to enter the province will not be considered.
No modified isolation for rotational workers – Effective immediately, rotational workers who are returning home from outbreak zones can no longer do the modified form of self-isolation.
- They must self-isolate for 14 days in a completely separate space from the other people in their households, but they can share a bathroom that is cleaned between uses.
- Except for their mandatory COVID-19 testing, they cannot attend medical appointments unless there is an emergency.
Further restrictions and restriction updates – Public health directives are in place to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Learn more. The measures put in place to help contain the spread of COVID-19 are gradually changing. Keep up to date as restrictions change. As restrictions change, you need to continue to follow public health directives.
READ MORE: View the full release from the Province on new restrictions announced May 7, 2021.
CANS COVID-19 Information Centre
Are you looking for the latest information about COVID-19? Take a look at the news section in CANS COVID-19 Information Centre. Here you can find recent news releases from the Province and vital information that will help you and your business navigate the global pandemic.
Please keep us informed to help us advocate on your behalf. Email your questions to: questions@cans.ns.ca.