Recent News Announcements & Information
To keep you informed throughout this ongoing pandemic, CANS has compiled the latest COVID-19 information and its impact on the construction industry.
CANS COVID-19 Email Communication to CANS Members
Archived CANS COVID-19 Email Communications to CANS Members
COVID-19 Provincial Government News Updates
COVID-19 – Provincial News Releases & Information from July 2021
Ask us a Question
We know many of you have questions and concerns about the impact COVID-19 is having on your business. Please keep us informed to help us advocate on your behalf. Email your questions to questions@cans.ns.ca
COVID-19 Testing
Everyone should get tested regularly for COVID-19. Even if you have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, you should get tested.
Book an appointment for a standard test at a primary assessment centre. Rapid testing is available without an appointment at pop-up sites for people who are 16 or older and have no symptoms.
Exposure Notices
Please review the current possible exposure notices and follow the public health direction if a notice applies to you.
CANS Office Closure & Offering of Programs and Services
Effective Wednesday, June 16, CANS members will be able to enter our front office, one person at a time. CANS has resumed offering the following in-person services in a modified format: print orders, the sale of CCDC & CCA Standard Documents, and the signing of Statutory Declarations.
*CANS Business Centre and board rooms remain closed.
Any further changes will be communicated via CANS COVID-19 Information Centre, CANS website and social media channels (Twitter & LinkedIn).
Questions about CANS Projects & Documents Services?
If you have any questions, please contact Lesley Whynot by phone 902-880-6046 or email.
Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 Reopening Plan
Nova Scotia’s reopening plan takes a phased approach to safely easing restrictions. The 5-phase plan is based on the ongoing progress of provincewide vaccination rates and improvements of public health and healthcare indicators like COVID-19 activity and hospitalizations.
- COVID-19 transmission will continue to be monitored.
- If required, a phase may be paused to respond to trends at county or provincial levels.
- Additional plan details will be released as each phase starts.
WE ARE CURRENTLY IN: PHASE FOUR (click here for full details on this phase).
Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout
Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 immunization plan includes 3 phases. Each phase identifies when different groups can receive the vaccine. Every person in Nova Scotia who wants the COVID-19 vaccine will receive it for free.
Want to learn more? Find more in-depth information about Nova Scotia’s immunization plan here.
Appointments and Eligibility
Most Nova Scotians will receive their vaccine by age group. When you’re eligible, you can book your appointment. All appointments need to be booked in advance.
People age 18 and older are now eligible for either a Moderna or an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Each clinic has a set number of appointments available for the clinic dates.
People age 12 and older are now eligible for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Each clinic has a set number of appointments available for the clinic dates.
BOOK NOW: Book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment here.
Second Doses and Rescheduling
Second dose appointments are being rescheduled for an earlier date. You’ll receive an email when it’s your turn to reschedule your second dose appointment. If you didn’t provide an email when you booked your appointment, call 1-833-797-7772 to reschedule or provide your email address.
Provincial & Federal Government
Provincial
- Find all the daily totals for tests, new cases, vaccinations and more statistical information in one easy spot with the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Dashboard.
- The NS government has created a helpful roundup of closures, cancellations and service changes amid the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
- Learn about the latest measures from the Government of Nova Scotia.
- Watch a collection of archived news conferences related to COVID-19 from the NS Government
- The Nova Scotia COVID-19 Rapid Screening Program for Workplaces supports employers across the province to put in place regular screening for their staff. Test kits are provided by the province for free through the federal government. Interested employers can learn more about the program and how to sign up here.
Federal
- Find out the latest from the Public Health Agency of Canada including the current situation, risk to Canadians and how Canada is monitoring COVID-19
- Visit the Government of Canada‘s website for outbreak updates, prevention, travel, and financial and economic supports for Canadians
- Download the COVID-19 Support App. This app lets you receive the latest updates, trusted resources, and self-assess your symptoms. Download the app on iOS | Download the app on Android
Health & Safety
- The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has free tip sheets available online that provide health and safety tips for both workers and employers and are specific to each industry or sector. Click here to download the Construction tip sheet.
- Check out some tips from the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia on self-care while working from home.
- The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) has released its “Tips for Staying Safe While Working at your Trade.” Click here to access their tips.
- Take a look at Build Right Nova Scotia’s resources for COVID-19
Financial Support
- Find a round-up of federal and provincial financial supports and programs for recovery to help your business through COVID-19. Click here for COVID-19 Business Support — Programs for Recovery (Last updated May 2021).
Industry & Business
- Working on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and testing policy? WATCH: “COVID Vaccination in the Workplace | 5 Kay Employer FAQs” from Construction Safety Nova Scotia. Presented by McInnis Cooper this recorded webinar explores the legal considerations employers must keep in mind while creating workplace vaccination policy.
- Free self-screening rapid testing kits will be distributed to interested small and medium-sized businesses via The Halifax Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, which are both provincially approved COVID-19 rapid test distributors. Learn more for businesses in CBRM. Learn more for businesses in Halifax.
- The Creative Destruction Labs (CDL) Rapid Testing Consortium was recently expanded to Cape Breton. This initiative is aimed at providing workplaces with self-administered testing kits for their employees. To learn more about being part of the CDL Rapid Testing Consortium, please visit CDLRapidTestingConsortium.com. You can also register your business here.
- Over the last several months, Nova Scotia has been reopening the province safely. As more businesses, organizations, services and public spaces reopen, we need to work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help keep everyone safe. Check out our round-up of guides, toolkits, funding, news and articles to help you reopen your business safely.
- Wondering what support is available for you and your employees during COVID-19? Check out this roundup from the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. Or, watch a recording of their Business Support Series: Update on Programs for Recovery session (recorded on May 21, 2021).
- CCA releases COVID-19 – Standardized Protocols for All Canadian Construction Sites. (Updated April 2021)
- Check out CCA’s free tools available to you on their COVID-19 Resources page.
- The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency has developed FAQs for navigating training, government grants and more in the wake of COVID-19.
- Take a look at online training courses available through Construction Safety Nova Scotia.
Resources From CANS Members
- Check out this resource: A COVID-19 Hygiene Audit Checklist, developed by Bird Construction
- Check out Aon’s COVID-19 Response Site, established to support organizations in mounting effective infectious disease (pandemic) response and in planning for impacts.
- Grant Thornton is encouraging associations, groups, not-for-profits and charities to check out their COVID-19 website.
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Enterprise Truck will remain on-call and available to service first responders and essential service providers. Click here for details of their on-call service, or visit their website for more information.
- In this time of uncertainty with the progression of the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Halifax-Bedford on Parkland Drive is committed to keeping doors open and to be there for the community. For more information call at (902) 444-6700.