Nova Scotia to move to second phase under five-step reopening plan

HALIFAX — Officials in Nova Scotia are expected to announce today the province will move into the second phase of its five-step reopening plan on Wednesday.

In an emailed statement, the Health Department says the province is comfortable moving into Phase 2 because COVID-19 cases are staying low, hospitalizations are down and vaccine coverage has increased.

Under the next phase, restaurants and bars are allowed to have indoor dining with physical distancing between tables.

All retail stores will also be allowed to operate at 50 per cent of the store’s capacity, and households can have more than one person designated for shopping.

Hair salons, barbershops, spas, nail salons and body art establishments can offer all services by appointment only, including services that require a client to remove their mask.

Under the changes, the indoor social gathering limit will be increased to 10 people, without physical distancing and masks, while the outdoor limit rises to 25 people, without physical distancing.