High school graduation celebrations in N.S. allowed 'under strict conditions'

Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health has made an exemption to the health protection order to allow celebrations for graduating high school students this year.

Dr. Robert Strang said these events will be held "under strict conditions" and will be in effect between June 8-30.

"These are all going to be based around a drive-in concept, attendees must arrive in a vehicle. All passengers in the vehicle must be from a single household or household bubble," Strang said.

"Graduates can come out of their vehicle to do things like crossing a stage or taking part in a parade, as long as a physical distance of two metres or six feet is maintained."

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said many communities that want to celebrate graduating high school students this year have already submitted proposals.

In situations where families may not have access to a vehicle, Strang said he's heard local car dealerships have offered to help.

According to a news release from the province, all non-school based community celebrations of graduates "must be held by a recognized business, municipality or community organization and the local municipality, police and fire departments and EHS must be informed and supportive of the planned event."

Weekend demonstrations

Strang said the celebrations are organized, community-led events, and aren't for individual grad parties.

Strang said those planning to take part in anti-racism demonstrations and protests this weekend do it in a way that "respects safety."

"It's important that we ask any participants going to any of the events [to] maintain the social distance," Strang said. "Anybody organizing these events should consider how they're going to facilitate maintenance of social distance."

Strang said people attending a demonstration should wear a non-medical mask and that people who are feeling unwell stay home.

"At the end of the day, Nova Scotians who want to participate need to respect that these are creating an additional risk of COVID-19," Strang said.

"And you have to respect your fellow Nova Scotians and protest in a manner that is safe and does not create a risk of reintroduction and spark of a COVID-19 outbreak."

During a press briefing on Friday, McNeil noted it was an important day as many businesses that had been forced to shut down because of the virus are now able to reopen.

"I want to thank you for having the courage to open your doors," McNeil said to business owners. "This has been a difficult time in our province, no question, but today feels like a new beginning."

Strang said there will be "active monitoring and surveillance in place to very closely track the impact of our reopening on COVID-19."

'Buy local and support local'

All the business sectors that were ordered to close under the public health order now have approved plans and are able to reopen, Strang said.

"Just opening today is a big deal," McNeil said. "The next two weeks are critical for all of us."

McNeil encouraged people to support local businesses by going out to a restaurant, getting a hair cut, going to the gym and doing some shopping.

"Whatever you choose to do, think local, buy local and support local," he said.

No new cases or deaths

Nova Scotia announced no new COVID-19 cases for the fifth day in a week. 

That leaves the total of cases at 1,058, with 997 of those people being listed as recovered. Sixty-one people have died of the virus, but no deaths were recorded Thursday.

Last Friday marked the first time since the pandemic arrived in March that the province found no new cases. 

Removing deaths and recovered cases from the province's official tally adds up zero active cases.

However, the province says there are still three people in hospital, with two of those in intensive care.

Strang has said there are some delays and discrepancies in the tabulation of case numbers.

One resident and one staff person at Northwood are also listed as having active cases. 

Strang said the province is working on ways to start allowing visits between families and residents of long-term care homes.

He said the province is hoping to have more details on how that would work next week "to start to bring something forward in a cautious way."

Symptoms list

The list of COVID-19 symptoms recently expanded. People with one or more of the following updated list of symptoms are asked to visit 811's website:

• Fever (chills, sweats).
• Cough or worsening of a previous cough.
• Sore throat.
• Headache.
• Shortness of breath.
• Muscle aches.
• Sneezing.
• Nasal congestion/runny nose.
• Hoarse voice.
• Diarrhea.
• Unusual fatigue.
• Loss of sense of smell or taste.
• Red, purple or bluish lesions on the feet, toes or fingers that do not have a clear cause.