Reopening plan
Nova Scotia’s reopening plan takes a phased approach to safely easing restrictions. The 5-phase plan is based on ongoing progress of provincewide vaccination rates and improvements of public health and healthcare indicators like COVID-19 activity and hospitalizations.
Enjoying summer safely
The reopening plan safely eases restrictions over 5 phases as vaccination targets are reached and case numbers and hospitalizations decline. This allows Nova Scotians to safely enjoy summer with public health measures in place while we get most of our population fully vaccinated. Once that happens, we should be able to further ease restrictions and move in to a new normal of living during COVID-19.
Each phase is based on COVID-19 activity, hospitalizations and vaccination rates. Phases are expected to last between 2 to 4 weeks if targets are met in each phase. Testing continues and is monitored throughout all phases.
Moving through the phases
To move through each phase, Government of Nova Scotia looks at COVID-19 activity, hospitalizations and vaccination rates.
Declining COVID-19 case counts
Declining COVID-19 hospitalizations, including critical care
Increasing vaccination rate in people 12+
Plan overview
During phase 1 we can start having more social connections, including creating a consistent group of 10 for your close social bubble outdoors and participating in some activities in small groups. Businesses and services start to reopen and gradually ease restrictions.
Phase 2 further expands outdoor and indoor activities and will increase capacity for businesses and services.
Phase 3 continues to expand social activities and gatherings and remove restrictions from travel. This phase allows easier travel into Nova Scotia for Atlantic Canadians and also continues to expand capacity for businesses and services.
Phase 4 continues to expand access to social connections and capacity for businesses, services, events and activities.
Phase 5 is when we start to move into living during COVID-19. This includes easing public health measures and supporting ongoing expanded travel into Nova Scotia.
Public health measures
Continue to follow all public health measures to keep everyone safe. Stay up to date on restrictions and guidance and restriction alerts by county.
