Provincial State of Emergency

On 22 March 2020, the Province of Nova Scotia declared a state of emergency to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency has been extended until noon on 31 May 2020.

Health Protection Act Order

• Health Protection Act Order by the Medical Officer of Health (PDF 1.6 MB)

Health Authorities Act Directions

• Ministerial Directive – Redeployment of Nova Scotia Health Authority Staff (PDF 126 KB)
• Letter to NSHA Board Chair – Redeployment of NSHA Staff to Northwood Halifax Campus (PDF 125 KB)

Emergency Management Act Declaration and Orders

• Declaration of Provincial State of Emergency (PDF 42 KB)
• Renewal of Provincial State of Emergency – 5 April 2020 (PDF 272 KB)
• Renewal of Provincial State of Emergency – 19 April 2020 (PDF 304 KB)
• Renewal of Provincial State of Emergency – 3 May 2020 (PDF 50 KB)
• Renewal of Provincial State of Emergency – 17 May 2020 (PDF 158 KB)
• Renewal of Provincial State of Emergency – 31 May 2020 (PDF 80 KB)
• Direction of Minister under a Declared State of Emergency (PDF 41 KB)
• Direction of Minister under a Declared State of Emergency 1 May 2020 (PDF 41 KB)
• Direction of Minister to Partially Lift Earlier Direction – 15 May 2020 (PDF 696 KB)
• Direction of Minister – Municipal Meetings (PDF 50 KB)
• Direction of Minister – Municipal Public Transit (PDF 33 KB)
• Direction of Minister – Shareholder or Member Meetings (PDF 52KB)
• Direction of Minister – Village Elections (PDF 63 KB)
• Direction of Minister – Village Elections – 26 May 2020 (PDF 86 KB)

Police Act Order

• Direction of Minister – Nova Scotia Police Act (PDF 149 KB)

Under the state of emergency police are authorized to enforce orders under the Health Protection Act. If Nova Scotians, businesses and organizations do not practise social distancing and self-isolation, they will face fines of $1,000 for individuals and $7,500 for businesses and organizations. Multiple fines can be given each day an individual, business or organization fails to comply. Police can also enforce offences under the Emergency Management Act. For example, fines for charging higher than fair market prices for goods and services.

If you’re aware of someone who isn’t following provincial direction, talk to them first – they may need help. If you need to call police, please call a non-emergency number for the police that serve your community. Do not call 911.

Travel advisories and self-isolation requirements

The Government of Canada has issued an official travel advisory asking Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice.

The Province of Nova Scotia, under the authority of the Health Protection Act, is requiring anyone who has travelled outside Nova Scotia to self-isolate for 14 days from the day they get back to the province, even if they do not have symptoms. Public health inspectors will be onsite at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport and the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport.

Closures and restrictions

Public health directives are in place to help contain the spread of COVID-19. See what it means for Nova Scotians.