The Cliffs Are Growing

Shoreline Tidbits - Safe Restart Agreement Finalized

Nova Scotia will receive about $289 million through the federal-provincial-territorial $19 billion Safe Restart Agreement. The funding will be used to protect Nova Scotians from COVID-19 while safely reopening the economy.

"This investment will help us restart our economy while keeping Nova Scotians safe and healthy," said Premier Stephen McNeil. "Nova Scotia is working closely with the federal government and other provinces and territories to respond to COVID-19, and ensure individuals and businesses have services and supports they need to help ease the challenges."

Over the next few weeks Nova Scotia will receive federal allocations in the following areas: $77.3 million to increase testing and contact tracing, enhance mobile testing, enhance provincial border entry control and monitoring, upgrade data management and other measures; $30.9 million to support the health-care system with issues arising from a second wave of COVID-19 ($18 million) and expand access to mental health and addictions services ($12.9 million); $19.1 million for measures to control and prevent infections among vulnerable populations, including long-term care facilities; $77.3 million to support Nova Scotia's already established tracking and reporting system to continue to ensure an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is stockpiled and available; $17.4 million to help child care centres provide personal protective equipment and support new cleaning protocols and public health measures to keep children and staff safe while operating during the pandemic and $67.5 million to help municipalities address lower revenue from transit and taxes, as well as increased costs associated with COVID-19 infection prevention measures. This gives local governments the resources they need to continue to deliver essential programs and services for Nova Scotians.

The province announced on September 24 it is reducing costs and administrative burdens for taxi and ride hailing services.

Lloyd Hines, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal said, "The changes should help open the sector to healthy competition, reduce unnecessary regulatory burden and ensure our roads continue to be safe by keeping the medical requirement, which strikes a balance between business growth passenger safety.

The department is establishing a modernized, restricted Class 4 licence that no longer requires taxi or potential ride hail drivers to retake the road and knowledge tests. It will also reduce costs to drivers because the retests are no longer necessary. All other requirements for a Class 4, including a medical assessment, will remain.

Exempting drivers from the additional testing will also simplify the licensing process of upgrading from a Class 5 to Class 4 restricted. The new regulations come into effect immediately.

Health Minister Randy Delorey announced September 21 government is preparing for future cases of COVID-19 with recommendations from two reviews of outbreaks in long-term care facilities. Infectious disease consultant Dr. Chris Lata of Nova Scotia and former British Columbia associate deputy minister of health Dr. Lynn Stevenson conducted a review of the COVID-19 outbreak at Northwood's Halifax campus.

Some of their key recommendations include: Improving infection prevention and control within the existing architecture at Northwood; reviewing and updating pandemic plans; creating a mobile infection prevention and control resource to support facilities facing outbreaks; addressing staffing challenges with more employees for housekeeping, resident care, screening and visits, and a human resources plan for the sector and clarifying roles and responsibilities within the Department of Health and Wellness and the Nova Scotia Health Authority, restructuring their disaster response teams and improving communication

The Department of Health and Wellness will work with its partners to take immediate action to make improvements, including: ensuring existing long-term care rooms have no more than two residents each.

Since 2007, new facilities are built with single rooms and private bathrooms; establishing one mobile infection prevention and control response team in every zone to support facilities facing outbreaks, as well as an infection prevention and control resource person per zone dedicated to long-term care

-- ensuring there are processes in place for long-term care staff to get tested and return to work as quickly as possible; funding for all facilities to increase cleaning (staff and supplies); funding for small capital projects and equipment purchases to support infection and prevention control in long-term care facilities, such as lock boxes and carts for medications, hand-sanitizing stations, personal protective equipment (PPE) carts and room dividers and funding for staff who can be deployed as needed to manage outbreaks.

Government is increasing the allowable numbers for participants in performing arts, sport and organized physical activity. Effective Oct. 1, the number of people who can participate in one of these activities without physical distancing will increase from 10 to 50. For most sports, this will allow full team practices and competition to resume, while for the performing arts, this will allow for larger rehearsals and performances. This change also applies to recreational league sports, like adult hockey, and drop-in activities, like open swims and skates. Unorganized or casual games, like pickup basketball or soccer in the park, must adhere to existing gathering rules of small groups of 10 without physical distancing within a maximum of 50 with physical distancing.

The gathering limit of 50 without physical distancing includes: players/participants, officials, coaches, instructors or anyone else who is required to be on or near the field of play and performers, directors, cast, crew or anyone else required to be within the performance space.

The limit of 50 applies to practices, competitions, games, rehearsals and artistic performances. While mask use is not required while doing physical activity, wearing masks and maintaining distance as much as possible continues to be encouraged for these activities.

The gathering limits for day camps and after school programs remains at 15; for events and performances is 250 outside with physical distancing and 50 per cent of a facility's capacity and up to 200 inside, with physical distancing and mandatory masks for spectators.

Museums play an important role in preserving Nova Scotia's unique history and culture and attracting visitors to the province. That is why government is investing more than $7 million to complete shovel-ready repairs and updates at 11 Nova Scotia Museum sites across the province.

"Our museums bring our rich and diverse culture and heritage to life and preserve Nova Scotia's history and our stories," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine. "This investment will help repair and restore aging infrastructure so our museums can welcome more visitors for years to come."

Among the projects is a $1.5-million renovation project at Highland Village in Iona, Cape Breton - its first upgrade in almost 20 years. A new welcome centre, new washrooms, updated landscaping and interpretive signs will improve the visitor experience.

This investment is part of the $230-million stimulus package announced in May. There are 28 Nova Scotia Museum sites across the province - 11 operated by government and 17 operated by local boards. No museums in Cumberland or Colchester Counties will receive funding for improvement upgrades.