**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Travel Restriction for Children Age 11 and Younger Participating in Sports or Arts and Culture Events
Effective immediately, there are restrictions on out-of-province travel for children age 11 and younger for the purposes of participating in sports or arts and culture events.
Children age 11 and younger are also restricted from entering Nova Scotia for these activities.
“We are seeing cases spreading among children through these types of events. Given that vaccination for this age group is only just starting to roll out, we need to take this step to help keep our children and others safe,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia. “I strongly encourage parents to book vaccination appointments for their children as soon as possible. It is our best defence against this virus and our best path forward to living with fewer restrictions.”
Individuals, businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia cannot host sports games, competitions and tournaments or arts and culture performances that include children 11 and younger from outside the province as participants. They also cannot participate in these types of events outside Nova Scotia.
Children cannot self-isolate after travelling or get tested for COVID-19 in order to participate in these types of events. This restriction will remain in place until at least early January and will be re-evaluated then.
Children can continue to travel to attend these types of events as spectators. They can continue to travel for regular practices, lessons and rehearsals, which is lower risk because they are interacting with the same group all the time.
All other travel restrictions remain in place. They are outlined at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/travel/ .
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form: https://travel-declaration.novascotia.ca/en
COVID-19 vaccination appointments: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/vaccine/#getting-the-vaccine
COVID-19 testing appointments: https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en
Government of Canada: https://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)
Anyone with a non-crisis mental health or addiction concern can call Community Mental Health and Addictions at 1-855-922-1122 (toll-free) weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/
