Well here we are faced with a third wave of COVID spreading. In my area we were pretty much back to normal (or the new normal) by mid April 2021, then it all changed.
COVID case counts started to spike right here in Nova Scotia Canada. At first many blamed out of province buyers of properties for coming to the province and not properly quarantining. There could be truth to that, I mean somehow it arrived and we went from a dozen cases to over a thousand in days.
That meant new restrictions of course. Since we have been dealing with COVID for over a year and were almost back to some sort of normal, many are not happy with the new regulations.
In fact with the new COVID variants the virus is spreading much quicker and the restrictions are tighter than they were in wave one (for us).
On the bright side, the majority are following the restrictions, and at the same time thousands are getting not only tested but also vaccinated daily. Sort of a sprint towards heard immunity while reducing case count.
The worst part of this virus is that it can kill, but not only kill, prevent normal breathing, which of course jams up hospital ICUs.
What is it like, well as long as you are aware of the rules, as people we are resilient, so it is just a matter of adjusting your lifestyle and living your best life.
Of course there are plenty of conspiracy theories, anti-mask groups, people out of work, businesses closing out (especially food and travel related operations). Plus a lot of “experts” who express antigovernmental points of views, or the type that would report their own mother for violating a COVID rule.
If I had to frame the public sediment up with a buzz word, I would use “COVID Fatigue”
So, whats going down in the third wave of COVID in my area?
Summary of Third Wave COVID Regulations Nova Scotia Canada May 2021
“The situation we’re in right now in Nova Scotia is very serious. Our public health staff are overwhelmed and we need to get things under control,” said Premier Rankin. “We understand that extending province-wide restrictions through May and closing our border is disruptive, but it has to be done. This is about protecting our people and our health-care system.”
Public and private schools will remain closed to students and at-home learning will continue until at least the end of May.
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
There will be no exceptions for funerals and limited exceptions to be with an immediate family member who is at end of life.
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
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.
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.
“We need to limit movement within and from outside our province and we need everyone to follow the public health measures like people’s lives depend on it – because they do,” said Dr. Strang. “Work from home if at all possible, get your essentials, go to medical appointments, get tested and get vaccinated, go outside for fresh air and exercise. Otherwise, just stay home just like you did last spring.”
Effective at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, Nova Scotians will have to designate one shopper per household and retail stores that offer in-person shopping will impose a limit of one shopper per household. Exceptions will be made for children and caregivers.
Retail stores that primarily offer products and services that are essential to the life, health or personal safety of people and animals can continue to provide limited in-person service only to a maximum of 25 per cent of the store capacity in order to limit the number of people inside the store. Essential product categories are:
- food
- pharmaceutical products, medicine and medical devices
- personal hygiene products
- cleaning products
- baby and child products
- gas stations and garages
- computer and cellphone service and repair
- electronic and office supplies
- hardware supplies and home appliances
- pet and animal supplies
- gardening supplies
- workplace safety supplies
- automobile purchases (by appointment only)
- laundromats
Nova Scotians are encouraged to order online for pickup or delivery whenever possible. People who have no other option than to shop in person are asked to shop for essential items only, limit their trips to retail stores and limit their time spent shopping.
Nova Scotians are required to remain in their own communities except for essential travel such as for work, necessary shopping and medical appointments including testing and vaccination appointments. Community is mainly defined as one’s municipality. Nova Scotians should remain as close to home as possible.
Well that sums up May, fingers crossed that case counts drop, everyone gets vaccinated, thousands continue to get tested and those who need to quarantine do so.
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Michael P Currie
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