Atlantic provinces move towards ending all COVID-19 restrictions

Member Update / Impact

Recent announcements have seen the Atlantic Provinces take steps to accelerate multi-step plans to eliminate COVID-19 restrictions.  Border restrictions have been eliminated for all Atlantic provinces while vaccination passports and business capacity restrictions will be phased out over the next few months.  Public Health officers in each province are stressing the need for more individual responsibility as society learns to live sustainably with the COVID-19 virus.

Background

Please note that with the exception of physical distancing requirements and indoor mask wearing, retailers in each Atlantic province have already had COVID-19 restrictions lifted.  Therefore, the following information may be more applicable to RCC’s transportation partners as well as RCC’s quick service restaurant and cinema members.

Nova Scotia

• On February 24, 2022, the government announced that it will speed up its re-opening plan. 
• Effective February 28, 2022, proof of vaccination will be discontinued and thus, no longer required to enter restaurants and cinemas. 
• Phase 2 of the province’s reopening plan has been moved up and will now begin on March 7, 2022.  Phase 2 will allow 75% capacity for cinemas while continuing with the 75% capacity rule (max of 25 per table) for restaurants.
• Domestic travelers, regardless of their vaccination status do not have to isolate upon entry to the province.
• By March 21, 2022, all COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted.
• For more details, see press release.

Prince Edward Island

• Effective February 28, 2022, the PEI Vax Pass (proof of vaccination) will be discontinued thus, proof of vaccination will no longer be required to enter restaurants and cinemas. 
• Travelers, regardless of their vaccination status will no longer have to isolate upon entry to the province.
• Non-household close contacts of COVID-19 cases will no longer have to isolate so long as they follow testing and physical distancing rules.  This is good news for workplaces.
• For more details, see press release.
• The province still plans on removing all COVID-19 restrictions by mid-April 2022.

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Effective February 28, 2022, all travel restrictions will come to an end. 

• In addition, the February 28^th date will allow 75% capacity for cinemas (no food restrictions) while continuing with the 75% capacity rule for restaurants.
• By March 14, 2022, all COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted.
• For more details, see 2022 Reopening Plan Chart.

New Brunswick

• Businesses that require proof of vaccination / medical exemptions (e.g.: restaurants, cinemas) are not required to practice physical distancing.
• Travelers, regardless of their vaccination status do not have to isolate upon entry to the province.
• Non-household close contacts of COVID-19 cases do not have to isolate so long as they follow testing and physical distancing rules.  This is good news for workplaces.
• The province is currently in Level 1 of its Winter Action Plan.  The province has not yet set a date for the end of all COVID-19 restrictions.

Additional information regarding the COVID-19 restrictions and the reopening plans in each province can be found on the COVID-19 Requirements for Retailers by Region webpage on the RCC website.