search
covid-19

Updates to Public Health Guidelines and Travel Restrictions

Friday, April 23, 2021

Effective April 22, people from outside Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador will not be allowed to enter Nova Scotia unless their travel is essential, or they are permanent residents of Nova Scotia. People from New Brunswick will continue to follow the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick Travel Protocol. 

The following types of travel from outside Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador are considered essential:

  • people who live in Nova Scotia but their primary employment is in another province
  • federally approved temporary foreign workers
  • people who need to participate in-person in a legal proceeding in another province
  • post-secondary students coming to study in Nova Scotia
  • post-secondary students returning to their primary or family residence in Nova Scotia and parents who accompany them
  • parents picking up a student in Nova Scotia to take them home as quickly as possible people who can demonstrate that they already have a new permanent address in Nova Scotia as of April 21 and are moving here permanently
  • people traveling for child custody reasons following the child custody protocol
  • people who are exempt from self-isolation following the exempt traveler protocol
  • people traveling between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for work, school or children in child care, following conditions in the protocol for travel between these provinces

For more information, please visit https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/travel/


New Public Health Restrictions for Nova Scotia

With a new record high number of COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia, tighter restrictions are in place in all areas of the province. For the full list of restrictions, visit  https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restrictions-and-guidance/

You can also view restrictions by county at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/county-restrictions/

Public health officials are asking people to avoid traveling outside of their communities unless it is absolutely necessary. Necessary travel would include for school, work, health care, legal requirements and family visitation under the purview of the Department of Community Services. Travel for shopping, social events, family visits, practices or rehearsals are not considered necessary.

Under the circumstances, operators may want to review their cancellation policies and communicate with any customers who may be impacted by these restrictions. 

You can find information about COVID-19 programs and resources to support tourism businesses in our updated Fact Sheet.