Nova Scotia is closing schools and day cares for at least two weeks following March break.
The province made the announcement following news Sunday that there are three presumptive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nova Scotia, all related to travel.
During a webcast on Sunday afternoon, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang provided details on the cases.
“That’s why we’re also announcing today that schools and day care centres will remain closed after march break for at least two weeks,” he explained. “We will continue to review in consultation with public health. March break camps are cancelled.”
The individuals have been notified and are in self-isolation.
“We have a 61 year old woman who lives in Kings Co., who was traveling to Australia, a 50 year old male who lives in HRM who was traveling through the USA, and a male in his 30’s traveling extensively throughout Europe. So all of these cases have had travel outside of the country, which would have been their source of the exposure. None of the three cases are connected to each other.”
Premier Stephen McNeil described some of the further safety measures that are being enacted.
“Anyone who travels outside of Canada, regardless of where they work, must isolate for 14 days upon return,” he said. “There are screens at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport to tell people who return to Nova Scotia that they must isolate for 14 days and where to go for information if they feel sick. We’re also working with our Federal partners who are responsible for border security, to beef up that screening process. In addition to the work they are doing, we are also placing our own inspectors at the airport. Whether you are arriving domestically or internationally, to remind everyone to self-isolate and let them know what to do if they are feeling sick.”
In addition to those measures, the premier added long-term care facilities will also see temporary closures to the public and casinos will also be temporarily shuttered.
“Visitors will not be allowed in until further notice. The casinos in Halifax and Sydney will close tonight at midnight and bar owners will no longer be allowed to operate their VLTs.”
As of Sunday morning, there are 249 reported cases of COVID-19 and four probable cases in Canada.
For full details, please click here.
