**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Testing Mandatory for Rotational Workers
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Starting Friday, Jan. 15, testing will be mandatory for rotational workers who work outside Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We are concerned about the high number of cases in other provinces where many Nova Scotians are rotational workers,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Mandatory testing will provide workers, their families and their communities an additional layer of protection.”
This approach reflects the risk of importing the virus through frequent travel. Workers must complete their full 14 days of modified self-isolation, even if they have a negative test result. They must get tested on day one or two and again on day six, seven or eight.
Audits will be done to check testing data for randomly chosen rotational workers. If they did not do their first test, they will get a phone call reminding them that it is mandatory. If they do not get their second test, they will be issued a $1,000 fine.
“There have been cases among rotational workers and there is considerable risk of them importing the virus unknowingly, given how frequently they travel,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “That’s why testing is so important, along with their modified form of self-isolation.”
Post-secondary students from outside Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador should get one test on day six, seven or eight of their self-isolation. They must complete the full 14 days of self-isolation, even if they have a negative test result. While testing is voluntary, students are expected to do it to help protect their households and communities.
Testing is recommended for people who arrived from New Brunswick or had visitors from there in the 14 days before the new border restriction began Jan. 9. They should get tested immediately and consider a second test five to seven days later. People who were in New Brunswick should self-isolate while waiting for the first test result.
Quick Facts:
— people can book a test at http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en
— more information about testing is available at http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus
— starting Jan. 9, people entering Nova Scotia from New Brunswick must complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in at http://travel-declaration.novascotia.ca/en and self-isolate for 14 days
Additional Resources:
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada information line 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)
The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)
For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)
For more information about COVID-19 testing and online booking, visit http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/
The COVID-19 self-assessment is at http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/
