National Assembly ends mandatory isolation for people with COVID-19 from July 6

Nova Scotia announced Wednesday it will lift all remaining public restrictions for COVID-19.

Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, made the announcement in a press release Monday.

“This is the right time. While we expect to see smaller waves of COVID-19 variants in the summer, our high vaccine coverage and low risk of severe disease from Omicron variants make it manageable as we learn to live with COVID-19,” Strang said in the message.

“The pandemic is not over. But Nova Scotians have the tools and resources to make the right decisions to protect each other.”

The announcement said that starting Wednesday, self-isolation will be “strongly recommended,” but not mandatory, for people who test positive for COVID-19. Isolation will still be recommended for people showing symptoms, including a cough, sore throat or fever, until they feel better.

People who are sick are still asked to avoid high-risk spaces and people who are at greater risk.

Masks will also become optional, but will continue to be recommended in crowded indoor spaces, including public transport, and for sick people, especially those who cannot self-isolate.

Most restrictions in high-risk settings will remain.

Long-term care homes, correctional facilities, shelters and transitional homes will maintain a seven-day isolation period for residents who test positive for COVID-19.

However, appointed carers and visitors will no longer need proof of vaccination to visit.

They will also be allowed to remove their masks when visiting private premises or outdoors. The province said this is consistent with current policy at hospitals.

Availability testing

The release said testing for COVID-19 will still be available for people with symptoms.

People considered to be at higher risk and those who work or live in high-risk settings will have access to PCR testing and it remains recommended.

However, people with low-risk symptoms will only have access to rapid tests, which can still be taken at public libraries and MLA offices.

The release said asymptomatic testing will no longer be offered.