Coronavirus (COVID-19): alerts, news and data
Information about the state of emergency, COVID-19 updates, possible COVID-19 exposure and the Health Protection Act Order.
On this page
Potential exposure to COVID-19
Keep up to date on potential COVID-19 exposures and potential COVID-19 flight and transit exposures from Public Health. Exposure notifications include dates, times, places and self-isolation and testing instructions based on your vaccination status.
COVID Alert
COVID Alert is a free exposure notification app. The app lets you know if you may have been exposed to COVID-19. You can also use the app to let others know if you test positive without sharing any personal information.
Case data
Find information on COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia. Data includes age range, gender and location (by NSHA zone). Data is reported daily.
Provincial State of Emergency
On 22 March 2020, the Government of Nova Scotia declared a provincial state of emergency to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency has been extended until noon on 19 September 2021.
- Renewal of Provincial State of Emergency – 19 September 2021 (PDF 85 kB)
- Renewal of Provincial State of Emergency – 5 September 2021 (PDF 72 kB)
- Declaration of Provincial State of Emergency (PDF 42 kB)
Health Protection Act Order
To slow the spread of COVID-19, a Health Protection Act Order and public health measures are in effect, including:
- gathering limits
- social distancing guidelines – keep a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from other people
- self-isolation requirements
- restrictions on travel to Nova Scotia
- business and service restrictions
See what the Health Protection Act Order means for Nova Scotia.
Protocols
- Protocol Under the Authority of the Chief Medical Officer of Health – COVID-19 Child Custody Protocol (PDF 161 kB)
- Protocol Under the Authority of the Chief Medical Officer of Health – COVID-19 Exempt Traveller Protocol (PDF 273 kB)
- Protocol Under the Authority of the Chief Medical Officer of Health – COVID-19 Nova Scotia-New Brunswick Travel Protocol (PDF 259 kB)
- Protocol Under the Authority of the Chief Medical Officer of Health – COVID-19 Rotational Worker Protocol (PDF 101 kB)
- Protocol Under the Authority of the Chief Medical Officer of Health – COVID-19 Specialized Worker Protocol (PDF 94 kB)
- Protocol Under the Authority of the Chief Medical Officer of Health – COVID-19 Temporary Foreign Workers Protocol: Agriculture and Seafood Sectors (PDF 148 kB)
Injunction Order
- Supreme Court of Nova Scotia – Injunction Order (Illegal Public Gathering) – 14 May 2021 (PDF 106 kB)
- Supreme Court of Nova Scotia – Notice of Motion (Injunction Order - Illegal Public Gathering) – 14 June 2021 (PDF 389 kB)
- Supreme Court of Nova Scotia – Solicitors Affidavit (Injunction Order - Illegal Public Gathering) – 14 June 2021 (PDF 393 kB)
- Supreme Court of Nova Scotia – Order Discharging Injunction (Injunction Order - Illegal Public Gathering) – 22 June 2021 (PDF 542 kB )
Enforcing orders
In a state of emergency police are authorized to enforce orders under the Health Protection Act. If Nova Scotians, businesses and organizations do not follow gathering limits, social distancing guidelines and self-isolation requirements, they will face fines. Police can also enforce offences under the Emergency Management Act. Learn more: enforcement fines and who to call for help.
Directions and declarations
Emergency Management Act Directions and Protocols
- Direction of Minister – Authorization of Qualified Persons to Render Aid by Conducting COVID-19 Swabbing – 27 November 2020 (PDF 447 kB)
- Direction of Minister – COVID-19 Ambulance Fees Waiver – 29 June 2021 (PDF 278 kB)
- Direction of Minister – Liability Protection for Licensed Homes for Special Care – 22 September 2020 (PDF 244 kB)
- Direction of Minister – Liquor Licensed Establishments Third-Party Liquor Delivery – 22 July 2021 (PDF 79 kB)
- Direction of Minister under a Declared State of Emergency (PDF 41 kB)
- Direction of Minister – Municipal Meetings – 29 July 2020 (PDF 87 kB)
- Direction of Minister – Municipal Meetings (PDF 50 kB)
- Direction of Minister – Municipal Public Transit (PDF 33 kB)
- Direction of Minister – Renoviction of Tenants and Rent Increase Cap - 25 November 2020 (PDF 43 kB)
- Direction of Minister – Shareholder or Member Meetings (PDF 51 kB)
- Direction of Minister – Summary Offence Tickets (PDF 206 kB)
- Direction of Minister – Temporary Community Transition Unit – 30 November 2020 (PDF 313 kB)
- Direction of Minister – Village Elections – 20 August 2020 (PDF 177 kB)
- Protocol Under the Authority of the Executive Director of the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division – COVID-19 Delivery of Liquor by Third-Party Protocol (PDF 79 kB)
Police Act Order
Enforcing orders
In a state of emergency police are authorized to enforce orders under the Health Protection Act. If Nova Scotians, businesses and organizations do not follow gathering limits, social distancing guidelines and self-isolation requirements, they will face fines. Police can also enforce offences under the Emergency Management Act. Learn more: enforcement fines and who to call for help.
News releases
Latest COVID-19 news releases and announcements:
Videos and podcast
To help you stay informed, watch archived Government of Nova Scotia coronavirus (COVID-19) news conferences (webcasts) on YouTube (make sure to note the date of the video you’re watching). You can also listen to the Government of Nova Scotia COVID-19 Updates podcast.