Nova Scotia loosens COVID-19 restrictions – Retail moves to full capacity

Effective April 7, 2021 at 8am AT, Nova Scotia will allow all retail businesses to operate at 100% of their building capacity. This is great news for Nova Scotia retailers that had been restricted to operating at 75% of the building occupancy code. Please note that physical distancing, mask wearing and individual COVID-19 operational plans still apply. 

Also, as of April 7, 2021, Nova Scotia will open its border to visitors from Newfoundland and Labrador. This decision, combined with recent decisions related to the other Atlantic provinces means that visitors from across Atlantic Canada will be able to enter Nova Scotia, without having to self-isolate upon arrival. This decision will eventually have a positive impact on retailers within Nova Scotia as it will bring more potential shoppers to the province.

Background

For more details, please see the Nova Scotia government’s press release.

For Nova Scotia’s loosening of self-isolation restrictions, it should be noted that this loosening of these restrictions has not yet been reciprocated by the other Atlantic Provinces.  Therefore, an Atlantic Canadian will be able to enter Nova Scotia without self-isolating but will have to self-isolate upon return to their home province.  Also, Nova Scotians are not yet permitted to enter the other Atlantic Provinces without self-isolating upon arrival and upon their return to Nova Scotia.

The Atlantic Bubble is scheduled to re-open on April 19, 2021 thus, the self-isolation rules for Atlantic Canadians, traveling within the region will have to be lifted by April 19, 2021 at the latest.