N.S. drops proof of vaccination requirement, Halifax vaccine mandate ends

In Nova Scotia, proof of vaccination is no longer required for non-essential activities as of Monday, and Halifax is dropping its vaccine mandate

CITYnews halifax \ Chris Halef

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As of today, Nova Scotia will no longer require proof of vaccination to take part in non-essential activities, and the Halifax Regional Municipality is dropping its own mandate.

The change comes ahead of the province’s plan to lift all restrictions Mar. 21.

Starting Monday, the province is making an adjustment to Phase 1, ending the current requirement to show proof of full vaccination before participating in non-essential, discretionary events and activities while other restrictions continue.

Those activities include going going to the gym, restaurants, and attending sports or arts and culture events.

Proof of vaccination will still be required in high-risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes.

Halifax is also lifting its vaccine mandate for municipal employees, students and volunteers. The policy for suppliers to be fully vaccinated is also ending Monday.

The now-accelerated reopening plan is to move to Phase 2 on Mar. 7, which will see gathering limits and capacity increase. The eventual goal is to lift all restrictions Mar. 21, as long as things stay on course.

Last week the provincial government announced it is looking at ways to get public sector workers who refused to be vaccinated under the province’s COVID-19 mandates back to work.