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Nova Scotia Now in Phase 4 of Reopening Plan

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Nova Scotia entered the fourth phase of its reopening plan on Wednesday, July 14.

There are no changes to Nova Scotia's border policy as Phase 4 begins.  However, effective 8 a.m., July 14, the following restrictions are being eased provincewide:

Business

  • restaurants, licensed establishments and casinos continue to operate with existing mask and distancing rules; there can be up to 25 people per table; customers can go to the bar to order; establishments can return to their normal service hours; they can have performers following the limit for arts and culture performances
  • events hosted by a recognized business or organization can have 50 per cent capacity to a maximum of 150 people indoors or 250 people outdoors; organizers need a plan following guidelines for events
  • people can follow the informal gathering limit for dancing together at events and at bars or restaurants, with distance between groups; the indoor limit applies to dancing indoors and on patios at bars or restaurants
  • all retail stores can operate at maximum capacity with public health measures in place, including distancing and masks

Recreation and sport

  • fitness and recreation facilities such as gyms, yoga studios, pools and arenas can operate at maximum capacity with public health measures in place, including distancing and masks
  • a wide variety of recreation and leisure businesses and organizations, such as dance classes, music lessons, escape rooms and indoor play spaces, can operate at maximum capacity with public health measures in place, including distancing and masks
  • organized sports practices, games, league play, competition and recreation programs can involve up to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors without physical distancing; tournaments are allowed when they are run by or affiliated with a provincial sport organization, following their Return to Sport plan
  • audiences follow the gathering limits for events hosted by a recognized business or organization
  • masks are no longer required at outdoor public places where it may be difficult to maintain physical distance, such as markets, playgrounds and parks

Arts and culture

  • professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and performances can involve up to 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors without physical distancing
  • audiences follow the gathering limits for events hosted by a recognized business or organization
  • museums, libraries and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia can open at maximum capacity with public health measures in place, including distancing and masks

Further information is available at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-plan/. 

For frequently asked questions for the tourism industry, see https://tourismns.ca/covid-19-tourism-industry-frequently-asked-questions.