N.S. announces it will keep mandatory masking in schools for a few more weeks

In an about-face, Nova Scotia announced Friday it will keep mandatory mask rulesin schoolsas the provinceenters Phase 3 of its reopening plan on Monday.

"It is clear the best decision based on today's information is to keep masking in schools until the middle of April," Premier Tim Houston said, referencing a pediatric advisory group's recent recommendation on thecontinuation of masking in school.

In public schools, staff and students will follow the updated guidance, which includes:

• Masking for staff, students and visitors will remain in place until mid-April during school hours and on school buses.

• Visitors and spectators will need to wear masks in schools during school instructional hours until mid-April.

• Staff and students are asked to follow core public health measures such as getting vaccinated if eligible, staying home if feeling unwell, following the COVID-19 daily checklist, washing and sanitizing hands frequently.

• Music, band, arts and sports in schools can resume in full.

• Tournaments, concerts and extracurricular activities are permitted.

• Planning for graduation can proceed.

The announcement came as Nova Scotiareported15 new deaths from COVID-19 in its first data update in more than a week.

As of Thursday, there were 38 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 12 in intensive care.

Of those hospitalized, 23.7 were unvaccinated or had just one dose. The age range of people in hospital is one to 100 and the median age is66.

Starting Monday:

• There will be no gathering limits or capacity limits, but the province recommends people still keep social groups small and consistent and make careful choices about the gatherings they attend.

• Physical distance will no longer be required between individuals and groups, although distancing is still recommended.

• Masks will no longer be required outside of schools, but wearing one in indoor public places or crowded outdoor places is strongly recommended.

• Businesses and organizations across all sectors can resume full operations with no mandatory public health restrictions.

• Special events including festivals, sports, performances, meetings, training and faith ceremonies can resume in full.

While masking won't be mandatory in most settings on Monday, Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang said he strongly recommended people continue to wear masks, physically distance, get tested for COVID-19and keep social gatherings small.

"The most important actions that individual Nova Scotians can take are to protect yourself and the loved ones around you," Strang said.

Strang said individual businesses are allowed to require patrons wear masks.

Restrictions will remain in place in high-risk settings like hospitals and long-term care homes, Strang said.

During Phase 3, people who test positive for COVID-19 are still legally required to isolate for seven days. They're also required to tell people in their households, but they're only encouraged not required to share the diagnosis with close contacts.

When asked about thefast-spreading"stealth Omicron" variant, Strang said the province will continue to monitor for it. Healso stressed the importance of vaccines and booster shots.To date, only one case of this new variant has been reported in Nova Scotia.

"I'm not overly concerned about the cousin of Omicron having any greater impact than Omicron is currently having or has had," said Strang.

According to CBC's tracking of COVID-19 deaths since the Omicron wave began Dec. 8, 2021, 121 people have died of the virus.

During the Omicron wave, those who are unvaccinated or have received only one dose of vaccine are three times more likely to die of COVID-19 as compared to someone who has had two doses, and are six times more likely to die as someone who has received a booster dose.

Unvaccinated Nova Scotians are about 5 times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 than someone with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That figure is based on average hospitalization numbers released from theprovince fromJan. 4 up to March 15.

As of March 15, 87.1 per cent of Nova Scotianswere fully vaccinated, 5.1 per cent were partially vaccinatedand 7.8 per cent were unvaccinated. 63.2 per cent of Nova Scotians 18 and older have had a booster dose.

From March 9 to March 15, Nova Scotia averaged about 413 positive PCR tests a day.

The province's weekly COVID-19 update Thursday was delayed due to technicaldifficulties, according to a release.

The province began releasing reports weekly instead of daily last week. That move leftsome people concernedthe lack of data may make it difficult for Nova Scotians to effectively assess their risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.

In the previousupdate on March 10, the province reported five deaths and 50 people in hospital.

This week, the federal government also announced as of April 1, fully vaccinated travellersentering Canada will no longer have to show proof of a negative antigen or molecular COVID-19 test at the border.