Changes to public exposure notifications and exposures in Central, Eastern and Northern Zones

**** NSHA Media Release

Changes to public exposure notifications and

exposures in Central, Eastern and Northern Zones

As Nova Scotia moves into a stage of living with COVID-19 as we go about our daily activities, there will be changes in how Public Health communicates COVID-19 public exposures. We will no longer be issuing exposures based on the risk levels of low, moderate, or high. We will be issuing COVID precaution notifications and COVID exposure notifications, where your self-isolation and testing requirements will be based on your vaccination status.

COVID precaution notifications will be issued if there has been a potential exposure of minimal risk to the public.

COVID exposure notifications will be issued when the public has had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

WHEN WE ISSUE A COVID PRECAUTION NOTIFICATION THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS WILL APPLY:

If you are fully vaccinated (your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine was 14 or more days before the date of the exposure):

You are NOT required to self-isolate or to be tested, unless you develop symptoms.
Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the exposure. Symptoms include a new or worsening cough, and two or more of the following: fever (i.e. chills, sweats), shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose/nasal congestion, or headache.
Anyone who develops symptoms is required to self-isolate, book a COVID-19 test, and stay isolated until you receive a negative test result.

If you are not fully vaccinated (you have only had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine or have not received any COVID-19 vaccine) you are at risk of contracting COVID-19.

We do NOT require you to isolate, unless you develop symptoms.
We strongly recommend you get tested at least 72 hours after the exposure, whether or not you have symptoms.
Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the exposure including: new or worsening cough, fever (i.e., chills, sweats), shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose/nasal congestion, or headache.
Anyone who develops symptoms is required to self-isolate, book a COVID-19 test, and stay isolated until you receive a negative test result.

WHEN WE ISSUE COVID EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS WILL APPLY:

If you are fully vaccinated (your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine was 14 or more days before the date of the exposure):

You are NOT required to self-isolate or to be tested, unless you develop symptoms.
Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the exposure. Symptoms include a new or worsening cough, and two or more of the following: fever (i.e. chills, sweats), shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose/nasal congestion, or headache.
Anyone who develops symptoms is required to self-isolate, book a COVID-19 test, and stay isolated until you receive a negative test result.

If you are not fully vaccinated (you have only had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine or have not received any COVID-19 vaccine) you are at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Immediately self-isolate, whether or not you have symptoms.
Book a COVID-19 test.
Book a second COVID-19 test 6 or 7 days after the exposure. You can stop isolating after 7 full days only if this test is negative and you have no symptoms. Please avoid contact with immunocompromised people (i.e. nursing homes).
A third test is recommended on day 14.
If you choose not to be tested on day 6 or 7, you must isolate for a full 14 days from your most recent exposure. Testing continues to be strongly recommended after initial exposure and on day 14.

Protecting the health of Nova Scotians is our priority and focus. Any decision is made carefully in consideration of the risk posed to the community. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

***

For Friday, September 10, 2021

Potential exposures to COVID-19 at various locations in Central, Eastern and Northern Zones

Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposures to COVID-19 at various locations in Central, Eastern and Northern Zones. In addition to media releases, all potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures.

COVID PRECAUTION NOTIFICATION

Regardless of whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms, those present at the following locations on the named dates and times for at least 15 minutes are required to follow the self-monitoring, self-isolation, and testing instructions noted below based on your vaccination status.

Kentucky Fried Chicken (679 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville) on September 4 between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, September 18.

Boston Pizza (133 Church St, Antigonish) on August 31 between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and September 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, September 18.

The Den Nightclub (2182 Gottingen Street, Halifax) between 9:00 p.m. on September 4 and 3:00 a.m. on September 5. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, September 19.

If you are fully vaccinated (your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine was 14 or more days before the date of the exposure):

You are NOT required to self-isolate or to be tested, unless you develop symptoms.
Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the exposure. Symptoms include a new or worsening cough, and two or more of the following: fever (i.e. chills, sweats), shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose/nasal congestion, or headache.
Anyone who develops symptoms is required to self-isolate, book a COVID-19 test, and stay isolated until you receive a negative test result.

If you are not fully vaccinated (you have only had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine or have not received any COVID-19 vaccine) you are at risk of contracting COVID-19.

We do NOT require you to isolate, unless you develop symptoms.
We strongly recommend you get tested at least 72 hours after the exposure, whether or not you have symptoms.
Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the exposure including: new or worsening cough, fever (i.e., chills, sweats), shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose/nasal congestion, or headache.
Anyone who develops symptoms is required to self-isolate, book a COVID-19 test, and stay isolated until you receive a negative test result.

COVID EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION

Regardless of whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms, those present at the following location on the named date and time for at least 15 minutes are required to follow the self-monitoring, self-isolation, and testing instructions noted below based on your vaccination status.

Electric Pines Music Festival (694 Robinson Road #932 Shubenacadie) between September 5 at 6:30 p.m. and September 6 at 11:30 a.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, September 20.

If you are fully vaccinated (your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine was 14 or more days before the date of the exposure):

You are NOT required to self-isolate or to be tested, unless you develop symptoms.
Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the exposure. Symptoms include a new or worsening cough, and two or more of the following: fever (i.e. chills, sweats), shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose/nasal congestion, or headache.
Anyone who develops symptoms is required to self-isolate, book a COVID-19 test, and stay isolated until you receive a negative test result.

If you are not fully vaccinated (you have only had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine or have not received any COVID-19 vaccine) you are at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Immediately self-isolate, whether or not you have symptoms.
Book a COVID-19 test.
Book a second COVID-19 test 6 or 7 days after the exposure. You can stop isolating after 7 full days only if this test is negative and you have no symptoms. Please avoid contact with immunocompromised people (i.e. nursing homes).
A third test is recommended on day 14.

If you choose not to be tested on day 6 or 7, you must isolate for a full 14 days from your most recent exposure. Testing continues to be strongly recommended after initial exposure and on day 14.

For those who require testing, to book your COVID-19 test visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en or call 811 if you don’t have online access or if you have other symptoms that concern you. When booking your test online, please select the reason for testing as: I was at one of the exposure sites at the date and time identified in a recent Public Health public service announcement or letter where testing was recommended.

Please note: Please get tested at a COVID-19 testing centre or public health mobile unit; do not go to a pop-up rapid testing location.

Anyone who is travelling within Canada into Nova Scotia, from outside of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, must follow the provincial travel regulations based on vaccination status. View details at: https://novascotia.ca/re opening-plan/phase-four/

Anyone who is traveling from outside of Canada into Nova Scotia must follow the federal travel regulations based on vaccination status. View details at: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid#f

If you are not fully vaccinated, please visit https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/book-your-vaccination-appointment / or call 1-833-797-7772.

When Nova Scotia Health Public Health makes a public notification it is not in any way a reflection on the behaviour or activities of those named in the notification.

All Nova Scotians are advised to continue monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms and are urged to follow Public Health guidelines on how to access care. Up to date information about COVID-19 is available at novascotia.ca/coronavirus.