BREAKING: @StephenMcNeil declares a state of emergency. No one is to gather in groups larger than five. Premier says we're dealing with a "deadly disease," and he's disappointed in blatant disregard for social distancing over the weekend. #halifax #novascotia #covid19NS
Orders self-isolation, effective tomorrow, for everyone coming into Nova Scotia -- even domestic travellers coming in from other provinces. Exception will made for those who come in to deliver essential services. #covid19novascotia #covid19NS
This follows measures adopted by Newfoundland and Labrador earlier this week. "There will be no exceptions," said McNeil. #covid19NS
Minister Chuck Porter takes mic to explain the state of emergency, as per the Emergency Management Act. Under this order, government can control and prohibit assembly, and travel between places. #covid19NS
Justice Minister Mark Furey on enforcement of the order: "We are taking immediate action to authorize police to enforce orders under the Health Protection Act" related to self-isolation and social distancing. #covid19NS #covid19novascotia
Residents and businesses found in violation of this order can be fined w/ summary offence tickets. Effective today, "social distancing will also now form part of the Chief Medical Officer's order," which police are authorized to enforce. #covid19NS
Fines for individuals: $1,000 for each fine, for each day. Businesses and corporations: $7,500 for first instance, and each subsequent day. People can be fined on multiple days #COVID19NS
Police are ready to respond to these orders TODAY, says Minister Furey. Police can fine and arrest if necessary.
Dr. Robert Strang now announces 7 new cases of COVID-19, all travel related or close contacts with previous cases. None at this point are related to community spread. We now have 28 cases in Nova Scotia. #COVID19NS #covid19novascotia
Nearly 2,100 tests completed in Nova Scotia. Microbiology lab at QEII Health Sciences Centre can now identify both positive and negative test results -- no more need to send to Winnipeg for verification. #covid19NS #covid19novascotia
Dr. Strang anticipates we'll see cases of community spread soon. "Everyone is at some level of risk. There is severe disease occurring at almost all ages." #covid19NS #covid19novascotia
"Now's not the time. Do not pile into a car, go for half an hour, park next to a hundred other vehicles at a beach... that is not using common sense." says Dr. Strang.
Don't go to grocery stores or pharmacies in pairs. Send one person, urges Dr. Strang. #covid19NS #covid19novascotia
"This is a time when we can come together. We're at the beginning of this in Nova Scotia," says Dr. Strang. "We can make an impact, we actually have the fortunate opportunity, even with in Canada."
He says Ontario, BC and Alberta have been struggling to implement measures Nova Scotia is, because they're further along the curve. That's where we don't want to get, says Dr. Strang #covid19NS #covid19novascotia
As of 6 a.m. tomorrow morning, anyone coming into Nova Scotia has to self-isolate, says Dr. Strang. NS is looking at increasing testing for those who haven't travelled, as it prepares to deal w/ community spread #covid19NS #covid19novascotia
Anybody with travel history, even in Canada, and develops fever or cough will qualify for testing, beginning tomorrow, says Dr. Strang. He says NS is working to double the testing capacity in the lab in the next day or two. #covid19NS #covid19novascotia
Minister Furey says if members of the public observe people not adhering to self-isolation or social distancing requirements, they are encouraged to contact police. #covid19NS #covid19novascotia
Dr. Strang adds: we should help each other, and encourage each other in self-isolation and social distancing before going to police. Encourage them indoors! Ask if you can help. It's not just up to police. #covid19NS
Today's state of emergency does not necessarily mean shopping malls are closed. But they'll have to revisit protocols to ensure there are no gatherings larger than five people. #covid19NS
Both Dr. Strang and McNeil want to clarify: it's not only people who have travelled who are being tested for #covid19NS. The 811 system will capture a range, and is being improved in the next few days to better encapsulate community spread. #covid19novascotia
"We're going to be in this for weeks. All of us have to be practicing the social-distancing," says Dr. Strang. Lots of people may move up and down the spectrum of having to distance, and isolate. #covid19NS #covid19novascotia
Clarification on shopping malls from McNeil: Go in, buy your item, and don't gather in common spaces. #covid19novascotia #covid19NS
Clarification on difference between quarantine and self-isolation: Quarantine is a technical term, involves someone possibly exposed but not yet sick. But NS is using 'self-isolation' for both sick, and possibly exposed but not yet sick individuals. #covid19NS
Dr. Strang reiterates, team is working toward maximizing the lab capacity for testing beyond travel and close contact cases. #covid19NS
Asked why folks incoming at airports won't be temperature-screened, Dr. Strang says it hasn't been proven as an effective measure in determining whether people will become sick in the next few days. #covid19NS #covid19novascotia
