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 December 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 Updates
Members can now enter CANS office and access the following in-person services: print orders, the sale of CCDC & CCA Standard Documents, and the signing of Statutory Declarations. Please note that we are still offering our virtual Statutory Declaration service. Those entering CANS lobby, Business Centre or front desk area do not need to provide proof of double vaccination however, masking, hand sanitizing, social distancing, and contact tracing remain in effect.
Questions about CANS Projects Services? For more information, please contact Lesley Whynot, Manager, Projects & Information Services.
CANS meeting space is open to pre-booked meetings ONLY. Please note: CANS services that require the use of our facility beyond the front desk including meetings, training, events, boardroom bookings, and washroom access will require proof of double vaccination.
Questions about booking CANS Boardrooms? For more information, please contact Kaitlyn Bennett, Education & Training Lead.
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 FIVE (click here for full details on this phase).
UPDATED! Phase 5 Starting with Cautious Approach
“Phase 5 of Nova Scotia’s reopening plan is starting October 4 with a cautious approach. While most restrictions will be lifted, some will be maintained, and border restrictions will be added for people coming from Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Some notable aspects of Phase 5 include:
- masks will continue to be mandatory in indoor public places
- physical distancing and gathering limits for events hosted by a recognized business or organization will be lifted
- the informal gathering limits of 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors will remain in place
- proof of full vaccination will be required for non-essential events and activities”
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
Any Nova Scotian can book an appointment if they are 12 and older. Most appointments need to be booked in advance. You may also be able to go to a drop-in clinic without an appointment.
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.
Get Vaccinated on Your Work-Site – Public Health Will Come To You!
CANS and Nova Scotia Public Health have collaborated to improve vaccine uptake for workers in the construction industry with a solution that will make it easy to get vaccinated, while improving coverage rates across the province.
Mobile units are equipped for on-site vaccinations that can be easily conducted at your workplace. To set up a vaccination clinic for your workplace, please contact the appropriate public health office for your zone. (Unsure of your zone? Find your region on this map).
Public Health Contacts:
- Central zone– please email phczoutreachimmunization@nshealth.ca
- Eastern zone– please call (902) 867-4500 ext. 4800
- Northern zone– please call (902) 893-5820
- Western zone– please call (902) 599-2402
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Government Contractors
Nova Scotia vaccination requirements —
Under Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate announced on September 29, Nova Scotia Health employees, physicians, learners and volunteers must be fully vaccinated by November 30. The mandate also applies to those who provide services within Nova Scotia Health, including contractors, vendors and suppliers.
Only fully vaccinated workers, or those with an approved exception, are assigned to Nova Scotia Health facilities as of November 30. You must have received a second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine by November 16.
It is your responsibility to confirm the vaccination status of your employees and to notify Nova Scotia Health if you are assigning an employee with an approved exception. These workers may be required to follow additional infection prevention and control measures while on-site to ensure the health and safety of our patients and teams. Nova Scotia Health reserves the right to audit-proof of vaccination on a case-by-case basis. Non-compliance with these requirements may impact your business relationship with Nova Scotia Health, up to and including the termination of any contract(s).
Canada vaccination requirements —
The Government of Canada requires that all public service employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to access federal government facilities. This approach will ensure that federal workplaces are kept safe and that employees who work in them are protected. In support of this policy, the Government also requires any contracted personnel accessing federal government workplaces to be fully vaccinated. This requirement took effect on November 15, 2021.
Information about this requirement can be found in the Notice to Federal Contractors on Buyandsell.gc.ca, and additional details are available at COVID-19 vaccination requirement for supplier personnel.
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.