Nova Scotia updates border policy and announces Phase 5 plans

With the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia has updated its travel protocols to place tighter restrictions on travel to and from New Brunswick. The Nova Scotia / New Brunswick Travel Protocol will not impact fully vaccinated New Brunswickers, current rules allowing commercial trucking, nor the movement of people across the border for work and for quick trips (e.g. medical appointments). New Brunswickers with only one or no vaccination doses will be subject to rules similar to those in place for people from the rest of Canada wishing to come to Nova Scotia.

The government also announced its plans for Phase 5. Phase 5 would see most restrictions lifted (e.g. wearing masks, physical distancing, gathering limits) when 75% of the province’s eligible population becomes fully vaccinated. Given that the province is currently at 70% double vaccination, the government feels that the province could enter Phase 5 by mid-September 2021. In Phase 5, the government will recommend the continued practice of increased cleaning and the use of barriers (e.g. plexiglass) in public places.