COVID-19 Recovery

COVID-19 Recovery Planning

Along with other economic sectors, Nova Scotia’s nonprofit & voluntary organizations are beginning to re-open and re-activate services.

Reopening and Reactivating the Economy: Recovery Phases and Plans

Nova Scotia has begun Phase 1 of a gradual approach to lift public health restrictions. Phase 1 consultations with all sectors have taken place. Nova Scotia’s reopening plan is guided by the national framework and informed by Nova Scotia data and epidemiology.

Under the order issued by Dr. Strang: all persons present in NS must maintain the physical distancing protocols of 2 metres, and keep gatherings to ten persons or less except for those exemptions listed in the Health Protection Act Order. Certain exemptions are noted here.

When you think about reopening you need to consider which category your organization falls into. Either you were ordered closed or not and the steps you need to take differ depending on your category.

Organizations ordered closed

  • Many organizations that were ordered closed have begun to reopen effective June 5, and following the approval of your Workplace COVID-19 Protection Plan by the Medical Officer of Health. Please check with your Association if you are a member of one to get information about reopening plans that have been approved and what they require you to do.
  • Phase 2 consultations are required for those workplaces considered high risk sporting facilities, and performing arts venues. These are not permitted to open at this time.

Organizations not ordered closed

  • Organizations that were not ordered to close include those who continued to operate as well as those who willingly decided to close their doors. Both should ensure that their safety plan is in place, but their plan does not require formal approval by Dr. Strang or Public Health.
  • To support nonprofits that are currently open, and those planning to reopen or expand their services, the province has developed an online resource at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia/
  • All activity remains guided by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of you employees and customers/clients.
  • When you are in operations you must have a written plan that you communicate to your staff/clients and customers. If you are part of an association you will want to name it in your plan.

Continuing to operate depends on an organization’s ability to operate safely. If you have specific questions about developing a recovery plan you can contact the Department of Labour at 1-800-9-LABOUR.

NOVA SCOTIA WORKPLACE PPE SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

The province has completed a list of PPE suppliers. There are over 100 suppliers on the list if you need PPE: https://procurement.novascotia.ca/nova-scotia-together-find-suppliers.aspx

Please note the sample plans and other resources below.
We will add more as we get them.

Read the CSCNS Re-opening Policy here

Resources to consult in the development of your plans:

  1. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety are posting plans that are being assembled from across the country. Check out the webpage for examples from Canada.
  2. Occupational Health and Safety Act, administered by the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education provides:
    1. very clear statutory duties are placed, by law, on employers, contractors, constructors, suppliers and employees. The duties extend also to the self-employed, property owners and service providers.
    2. overriding duty is to take every precaution that is reasonable in the circumstances to safeguard health and safety in or near the work site or workplace.
    3. Supports the delivery of effective and efficient regulatory management to enhance the protection of the public and workers’ safety through education and outreach, inspection and enforcement, equipment registrations/permits and licenses.
    4. OHS is leading the work for LAE in working with the Department of Business and other government departments to support reactivating businesses in NS.
    5. Standard back to work plan documents are being developed that will be used across government to help all sectors and individual businesses to have adequate precautions and preparations in place to ensure risks of infection are mitigated to the public and workers.
  3. Halifax Chamber of Commerce has created a toolkit to help your organization get ready for reopening with the new public health guidelines. To ensure continued operations, it is important to keep employees and customers safe while still providing a quality customer experience. Here is a 5-step approach to operate business safely with COVID-19. Read through the toolkit here and use it to reopen your business.
  4. The Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce has a risk analysis that is helpful. Find it here.

To support nonprofits that are currently open, and those planning to reopen or expand their services, the province has developed an online resource at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia/

COVID-19: Non-medical Face Masks Mandatory Effective July 31st

As you know non-medical masks are now mandatory on public transportation and  in indoor public places effective today, July 31. You will want to continue to check the government’s website where they are adding more information and resources. Click here for resources and information.

Read More

Additional resources:

Sample recovery plans:

Please Note: Industry associations can submit their plans to government for approval at NSEconomy@novascotia.ca.

Remember that we must all continue to take the following public health measures.

To support nonprofits that are currently open, and those planning to reopen or expand their services, the province has developed an online resource at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia/

NSGOV Core Public Health Measures