Nova Scotia to open all retail at 25% capacity on June 2, 2021

RCC is pleased that following weeks of advocacy with senior government officials, the Nova Scotia government will allow all retail to open to in-store customers on June 2, 2021 at 25% capacity. 

This is part of Phase 1 in the province’s plan, Reopening Safely with COVID-19.  Retailers must continue to follow their operational plans, including rules surrounding mask wearing and physical distancing. Travel will still be restricted to all but essential travel in Halifax Regional Municipality and Cape Breton Regional Municipality, but travel restrictions have been lifted for the rest of Nova Scotia. This loosening of restrictions will begin at 8am on June 2, 2021.

As COVID-19 numbers continue to decrease, the Nova Scotia government has released a five-phase reopening plan for the province.  Although the plan does not include specific dates, it proposes moving between phases in two-to-four-week time frames, depending on COVID-19 activity.

The government has also stated its intention to have Nova Scotia join the Atlantic Bubble in late June or early July.

Phase 1

• Personal services (eg: salons) can be open by appointment only but can only perform procedures where the client does not have to remove their mask.
• Passenger testing at Stanfield International Airport.

Phase 2

• All retail business can open at 50% in-store capacity while following operational plans.
• No restrictions on travel within Nova Scotia.
• Households can have more than one designated shopper.
• Personal services can be open by appointment only but can perform all procedures.
• Indoor dining at restaurants with a maximum of 10 people per table.  Masks will be required except for when eating and drinking.

Phase 3

• All retail business can open at 75% in-store capacity while following operational plans.
• Target for Atlantic Bubble to open.
• Travelers from outside Atlantic Canada can enter with a 14-day quarantine.
• Restaurant hours of service stop at midnight.
• Personal services can be fully open while following operational plans.

Phase 4

• All retail business can open at maximum in-store capacity while following operational plans.
• Canadian travellers from outside Atlantic Canada may be able to enter with limited/no quarantine.

Phase 5

• Living with COVID.

Details can be found in the Nova Scotia government’s press release. Full details on the reopening plan can be found here.