1. Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  2. Restrictions and guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): restrictions and guidance

Public health measures that everyone in Nova Scotia needs to follow to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On this page

  1. Self-isolation requirements
  2. Gathering limits
  3. Mandatory vaccination in high-risk settings
  4. Business and service restrictions
  5. Mask requirements
  6. Social distancing guidelines
  7. Enforcement

Self-isolation requirements

You’re legally required to self-isolate if you:

How long you need to self-isolate

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19 or are a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19), your self-isolation requirements are based on your personal situation.

Gathering limits

Gathering limits are in place under the Health Protection Act Order.

Formal gatherings

  • Festivals, special events and arts and culture events (like performances) - 50% of the venue's capacity (indoor and outdoor) with social distancing and mask requirements when hosted by a business or organization. Wearing a mask is required. If you attend a movie or an event like a performance or sports game, you need to leave the viewing area and go to a designated area for eating and drinking (you also need to be seated while eating or drinking).

    If the venue has fixed (non moveable) seating like theatre or stadium seating and is hosting a ticketed event, organizers need to have as much physical distancing as possible between groups of spectators. If the venue doesn’t have fixed seating, organizers need to maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between groups at the event. Organizers also need to have a COVID-19 Prevention Plan.
  • Large event venues with 100,000 square feet or more (like Scotiabank Centre and Centre 200, Halifax Exhibition Centre) - 50% of the venue’s capacity up to 3,000 people (indoor and outdoor) with mask requirements. Wearing a mask is required. If you attend a movie or an event like a performance or sports game, you need to leave the viewing area and go to a designated area for eating and drinking (you also need to be seated while eating or drinking).

    If the venue has fixed (non moveable) seating like theatre or stadium seating and is hosting a ticketed event, organizers need to have as much physical distancing as possible between groups of spectators. If the venue doesn’t have fixed seating, organizers need to maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between groups at the event. Organizers also need to have a COVID-19 Prevention Plan.

Informal gatherings

  • Informal gatherings with household members (the people you live with) and close social contacts - up to 25 people (indoor and outdoor) without social distancing and masks (a common room of an apartment building or condo is considered an extension of your home if you have an informal gathering in it). Masks may be required if you're in a public place with mask requirements.

Sports and performing arts

  • Performing arts - Participants and officials in organized performing arts (amateur and professional) can gather with up to 60 people (indoor and outdoor) without social distancing for rehearsals and performances. Masks are recommended when you can’t maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from other performers. Singing or playing a wind instrument is permitted. Musicians and performers need to maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from spectators. The performing arts gathering limit also applies to rehearsals and performances at public schools. Spectators are included in event gathering limits and need to follow social distancing guidelines and mask requirements.
  • Sports - Participants and officials in organized sports (recreational, amateur and professional) can gather with up to 60 people (indoor and outdoor) without social distancing for practices, training, games and regular league competition. Masks are recommended when you can’t maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others. Tournaments are not permitted. The sports gathering limit also applies to practices, training, games and regular league competition at public schools. Spectators are included in event gathering limits and need to follow social distancing guidelines and mask requirements.

Weddings, funerals and faith gatherings

  • Drive-in faith services have no limit on the number of vehicles. You need to follow the informal indoor gathering limit in your vehicle.
  • Regular faith services - 50% of the venue's capacity (indoor and outdoor) with social distancing and mask requirements. Congregational singing is permitted with masks. Live music is permitted with musicians following the performing arts gathering limit. Wearing a mask is required when performing (except when you're singing or playing a wind instrument). Musicians and performers need to maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from the congregation. Masks are recommended for choirs.
  • Informal faith gatherings can have up to 25 people (household members and close social contacts) plus 1 person conducting the service (indoor and outdoor) without social distancing. Masks may be required if you’re in a public place with mask requirements.
  • Weddings and funerals (including visitation and receptions) hosted by a business or organization - 50% of the venue’s capacity (indoor and outdoor) with social distancing and mask requirements. Congregational singing is permitted with masks. Live music is permitted with musicians following the performing arts gathering limit. Wearing a mask is required when performing (except when you're singing or playing a wind instrument). Musicians and performers need to maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from event participants. Masks are recommended for choirs.
  • Informal wedding ceremonies can have up to 25 people (household members and close social contacts) plus 1 person conducting the ceremony (indoor and outdoor) without social distancing. Masks may be required if you’re in a public place with mask requirements.

Meetings and training

  • Meetings and training (indoor and outdoor) - 50% of the venue's capacity with social distancing and mask requirements when meetings and training are hosted by a business or organization, including:

    • faith organizations
    • provincial and municipal governments
    • private businesses and organizations
    • first responder organizations (emergency first responders are exempt from social distancing when necessary)
    • mental health and addictions support groups
    • organized clubs
  • Meetings and training (emergency first response) - When necessary, emergency first response training doesn’t need to follow the gathering limit.

Mandatory vaccination in high-risk settings

As part of the mandatory vaccination protocol for high-risk settings, most people who work in the public sector providing services and supports to vulnerable people need proof of full vaccination.

Protocol: COVID-19 Protocol for Mandatory Vaccination in High-Risk Settings (PDF)

The mandatory vaccination protocol for high-risk settings applies to:

  • visitors, designated caregivers and workers in healthcare facilities (like Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK Health Centre)
  • visitors, designated caregivers and workers in long-term care facilities (licensed and unlicensed) and homecare agencies (publicly and privately funded)
  • public school teachers, pre-primary and other school-based staff, regional and board office staff and people providing services in schools, including cafeteria and school bus services
  • Hearing and Speech Nova Scotia
  • workers in residential care facilities and day programs funded by the Department of Community Services (Disability Support Program) and adult day programs funded by the Department of Seniors and Long-term Care
  • workers in Department of Community Services facilities and people providing placements for children and youth in the care of the Minister of Community Services (excluding foster family placements)
  • paramedics, LifeFlight nurses and some staff at Emergency Health Services (EHS)
  • correctional officers, youth workers, staff volunteers, contractors and service providers who work in or provide service to adult and youth correctional facilities
  • early childhood educators and staff in regulated childcare, including volunteers, practicum students and other professionals entering these settings
  • physicians and other service providers to organizations that are required to follow the COVID-19 Protocol for Mandatory Vaccination in High-Risk Settings (PDF) (like hairdressers and contractors)

Employers need to make sure that employees are aware of the COVID-19 Protocol for Mandatory Vaccination in High-Risk Settings and know when and how to show proof of vaccination. There are minimal exceptions to the protocol. If you have questions about the protocol, you should talk to your employer.

Business and service restrictions

Business and service restrictions that are in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Childcare and education

Events

  • Businesses and organizations are permitted to host in-person events and activities (indoors or outdoors), including:
    • arts and culture events
    • festivals
    • in-person performances
    • special events
    • sports (recreational, amateur and professional), recreational and physical activity events
    • wedding and funeral receptions
  • Spectators are included in event gathering limits and need to follow social distancing guidelines and mask requirements.

Faith organizations

Fitness and recreation

  • Activities like cards, darts, pool, bowling and karaoke hosted by licensed and unlicensed establishments (like community centres, clubs and charities) continue to follow the Health Protection Act Order and the rules for the establishment that’s hosting the activity. Bingo follows the rules for liquor licensed (drinking) establishments. Wearing a mask is required (except when you're eating or drinking).
  • Businesses and organizations offering a wide variety of indoor recreation and leisure activities (like climbing facilities, dance classes, escape rooms, indoor arcades, indoor play spaces and music lessons) can operate at 75% capacity with social distancing. Wearing a mask is required (except during an activity that makes it difficult to wear a mask). Personal training and 1 to 1 lessons are permitted with as much physical distancing as possible between the instructor and participant. Outdoor fitness classes and recreational activities are permitted with a maximum of 60 people with a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between participants.
  • Fitness establishments (like gyms and yoga studios) and sport and recreation facilities (like pools, arenas, tennis courts and large multipurpose recreation facilities) can operate at 75% capacity with social distancing and masks. Personal training and 1 to 1 lessons are permitted with as much physical distancing as possible between the instructor and participant. Outdoor fitness classes and recreational activities are permitted with a maximum of 60 people with a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between participants.
  • Recreational day camps (indoor and outdoor) can operate with up to 30 people (including staff and volunteers) in each individual camp group without social distancing or multiple groups of 30 people each with social distancing between groups. Each group needs to be a consistent group. Wearing a mask is required for staff, volunteers and campers. Staff and volunteers need proof of full vaccination (it’s recommended that campers are vaccinated).

Healthcare and continuing care

  • Residents in homes licensed by the Department of Community Services under the Homes for Special Care Act can have 2 visitors at a time (it doesn’t need to be the same 2 visitors each time).
  • All residents in homes licensed by the Department of Community Services under the Homes for Special Care Act can leave the facility.
  • Visitors at homes licensed by the Department of Community Services under the Homes for Special Care Act need to wear a mask and be fully vaccinated (except for end-of-life visits). Visitors need to follow social distancing guidelines (except for quick, close contact, like a hug).
  • COVID-19 Point of Care Screening Tests (rapid tests) are not permitted unless the business or organization has Public Health approval and follows the Health Protection Act Order.
  • Long-term care residents can have 2 visitors at a time (it doesn’t need to be the same 2 visitors each time).
  • Long-term care residents can only leave the facility for medical appointments or to go for a drive in a facility, visitor or designated caregiver's vehicle with no stops and no contact with other people outside the facility.
  • Long-term care residents can attend regular faith services within the facility. The service can have 50% of the room’s capacity with social distancing and mask requirements. Live music is permitted with musicians following the performing arts gathering limit. Wearing a mask is required when performing (except when you're singing or playing a wind instrument). Musicians and performers need to maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from the congregation. Masks are recommended for choirs.
  • Only long-term care residents who are eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine and have a booster dose can participate in recreational activities and personal services (like hairstyling) within the facility.
  • Long-term care facilities may continue to have residents in consistent groups for dining and group activities.
  • Visitors at long-term care facilities need to wear a mask and be fully vaccinated (except for end-of-life visits). Visitors need to follow social distancing guidelines (except for quick, close contact, like a hug).

Movie theatres

  • Movie theatres can operate at 50% of the theatre’s capacity with social distancing and masks. Masks can’t be removed at any time, even to eat or drink while seated. You need to go to a designated area for eating and drinking.

Museums and libraries

  • Museums, libraries and Art Gallery of Nova Scotia can operate at 75% capacity (visitors and staff) with social distancing and masks.

Personal and wellness services

  • Personal services businesses (like hair salons, barber shops, spas, nail salons and body art establishments) can operate at maximum capacity possible with social distancing and masks. They also need to follow their sector-specific plan and the Health Protection Act Order. Services that require a client to remove their mask are permitted.

Restaurants, bars and casinos

  • Casino Nova Scotia (Halifax and Sydney) can operate at 75% capacity with public health measures like social distancing and masks. Casino Nova Scotia can only serve food and alcohol until midnight and must close by 1am.
  • First Nations gaming establishments can operate at 75% capacity with public health measures like social distancing and masks. Establishments that hold a liquor licence can only serve food and alcohol until midnight and must close by 1am.
  • Video lottery terminals (VLTs) can operate with public health measures like social distancing and masks. They must maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between people at VLTs. Establishments that hold a liquor licence can only serve food and alcohol until midnight and must close by 1am.
  • Restaurants and liquor licensed (drinking) establishments (like bars, wineries, distillery tasting rooms, craft taprooms and liquor manufacturers) can operate at 75% capacity while maintaining a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) as much as possible between people at different tables. There is a maximum of 25 people (household members and close social contacts) per table. Wearing a mask is required (except when you're seated while eating or drinking). Bar service is permitted if you follow social distancing and mask requirements. Restaurants and liquor licensed (drinking) establishments can only serve dine-in customers until midnight and must close by 1am. They can continue to offer take-out, delivery and drive-thru service after 1am.
  • Live music is permitted (indoor and outdoor) at restaurants and liquor licensed (drinking) establishments (like bars, wineries, distillery tasting rooms, craft taprooms and liquor manufacturers) with musicians following the performing arts gathering limit. Wearing a mask is required when performing (except when you're singing or playing a wind instrument). Musicians and performers need to maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from patrons.
  • Dancing is permitted at restaurants and liquor licensed (drinking) establishments (like bars, wineries, distillery tasting rooms, craft taprooms and liquor manufacturers) . Wearing a mask is required when dancing. You need to follow the informal gathering limit for household members (the people you live with) and your close social contacts for dancing together with social distancing between groups.

Retail and shopping malls

  • Retail stores can operate at maximum capacity possible (shoppers and staff) with public health measures like social distancing and masks.
  • Shopping malls need to follow the Health Protection Act Order, including:
    • customers wear a mask
    • maintaining a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between patrons, including lineups outside the entrance of a retail business
    • lineups for each retail store are no more than 25 people
    • keeping music to 50 decibels
    • food courts can operate at 75% capacity while maintaining a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) as much as possible between people at different tables and mask requirements

Tour operators

  • Museums, libraries and Art Gallery of Nova Scotia can operate at 75% capacity (visitors and staff) with social distancing and masks.
  • Bus tours and boat tours can operate at 50% of capacity with masks. If the only participants on the tour are household members or a close social contacts, tour operators can follow the informal gathering limit for household members (the people you live with) and close social contacts.

Workplaces

Mask requirements

Mask requirements for indoor public places and public transportation remain in place.

Social distancing guidelines

To protect yourself and others you need to:

  • stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from other people as much as possible, unless you’re with your household members (the people you live with) or your close social contacts
  • keep your close social contacts consistent
  • make informed choices about who and how to interact with each other (consider age, occupation and health conditions)
  • make sure you follow social distancing guidelines for gathering limits, businesses, organizations and workplaces

Enforcement

Police are authorized to enforce orders under the Health Protection Act (like gathering limits and mask requirements). Multiple fines can be given each day if an individual, business or organization fails to comply

If you do not follow public health measures, you can be fined $2,422 for the first offence and $11,622 for each additional offence.

If businesses and organizations do not follow public health measures when hosting events or gatherings, they can be fined $11,622 for the first offence and $57,622 for each additional offence. If businesses and organizations are not hosting events or gatherings and do not follow public health measures, they can be fined $11,622 for each offence.

If someone isn’t following public health measures, talk to them first – they may need help. If you need to call the police, call a non-emergency number for the police in your community (do not call 911). You can also:

  • contact the business or organization, or ask to speak to a manager
  • contact the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (Safety Branch) at 1-800-952-2687 or for business or workplace issues

Government's response to COVID-19

Related information