COVID-19 Resources

The COVID-19 outbreak is an urgent challenge to public health in cities and communities across Canada. RGDA is committed to supporting our members with information and resources to help keep your workplaces and communities safe.

RGDA encourages members to review these resources regularly. We’ll continue to update this page with additional information as it becomes available.

The Retail Gasoline Dealers Association has compiled from reputable sources a variety of data and resources relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources and information linked here come from a number of organizational and government sources.

The COVID-19 pages will be updated as new resources become available, but may not be exhaustive in all areas.

Current Restrictions:

September 14, 2021

Delay of Phase 5

Due to current epidemiology in the province and Atlantic region, the start of Phase 5 of Nova Scotia’s reopening plan will be delayed until October 4. This is the same day that the proof of full vaccination policy begins for certain events and activities. Current restrictions, including physical distancing, gathering limits, and masking, will stay in place until that date.

 There are some large arts and entertainment facilities that are hosting events before October 4 for which tickets have already been sold.  Staff at Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage and Events Nova Scotia are reaching out directly to those event organizers. These events can proceed without following the gathering limit as long the facility has a policy requiring spectators to be fully vaccinated. A negative COVID-19 test result cannot be used instead of proof of vaccination. Masks are still required if the event is indoors.

Proof of Vaccination Policy

Starting on October 4, people who are 12 and older will need to provide proof of full vaccination to participate in most events and activities that bring groups of people together. While the policy is not yet final, it will apply to the following:

• full-service restaurants where patrons sit at tables to be served, both indoors and on patios
• liquor licensed establishments, casinos and other gaming establishments, both indoors and on patios
• indoor and outdoor fitness and recreation facilities such as gyms, yoga studios, pools and arenas, as well as fitness classes
• indoor and outdoor leisure facilities and businesses such as dance and music lessons, climbing facilities, escape rooms, pottery painting, indoor play places, arcades, shooting ranges, go-carts and outdoor adventure
• indoor and outdoor festivals, special events, and arts and culture events and venues such as theatre performances, concerts and movie theatres, unless they are outdoor events held in public spaces with no specific entry point, such as Nocturne
• participants and spectators for indoor and outdoor sports practices, games, competitions and tournaments
• indoor and outdoor extracurricular school-based activities, including sports
• bus, boat and walking tours
• museums, public libraries and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
• indoor and outdoor events and activities such as receptions, social events, conferences and training that are hosted by a recognized business or organization

Proof of vaccination will not be required under the provincewide policy for employees of businesses and organizations that offer these events and activities.

It will also not be required for most places that do not facilitate formal gatherings, such as:

• retail stores
• financial institutions
• food establishments that primarily offer fast food, takeout and delivery
• professional services such as accountants and lawyers
• personal services such as hair salons, barber shops, spas and body art
• health-care services and health professions such as doctors’ offices, dental care, massage therapy and physiotherapy
• rental accommodations such as hotel rooms, cottages and campgrounds
• faith services
• school-based activities that take place during the school day, before and after school programs and school buses
• business meetings and other activities where the general public is not present
• places where government services are offered (i.e. Access Nova Scotia, Visitor Information Centres)
• food banks, shelters, Family Resource Centres and adult day programs for seniors or people with disabilities
• informal gatherings at a private residence

Businesses and organizations are encouraged to set their own vaccination policies. Any policies should take legal and ethical implications into consideration. People who are not fully vaccinated need to be able to access essential services.

We understand that you and your staff, members and volunteers will have more questions than we have answers to at this time. The project team is starting to work on the implementation logistics of the policy.  As we have done throughout the provincial response to the pandemic, we will connect with you to answer your questions and concerns, and anticipate scheduling sessions over the next week.  In the meantime, should you have questions, comments or feedback for consideration, please forward to Fiona Gibb at fiona.gibb@novascotia.ca

More Information

Yesterday’s news release is available in English and French. You can watch a recording of the media briefing on YouTube.

Our current information on the proof of vaccination policy is available online. More information will be added as it becomes available.

FAQ – Proof of Vaccination Policy

Thank you for your commitment to keeping Nova Scotians safe.

Nova Scotia Moved to Phased Reopening Plan in June

28 April 2021

• All counties need to follow province-wide restrictions and protective measures. Additional restrictions and protective measures are no longer in place for Halifax, Hants, Lunenburg and Guysborough County locations.
• Avoid non-essential travel outside your community (municipality where you live). Don’t travel outside your community unless it’s for essential travel like work, childcare, child custody, medical and legal appointments and necessary services like food, gas, healthcare and medications. You can book a COVID-19 test or vaccine at the closest location to your home.
• Gathering limit (indoors and outdoors) is no more than your household bubble (the people you live with). Smaller households with up to 2 people can socialize with 2 additional people, but they must be the same 2 people all of the time.
• Faith gatherings are not permitted.
• Wedding ceremonies and funerals can have up to 5 people plus the person conducting the ceremony (receptions and visitation are not permitted).
• Gathering limit with social distancing for mental health and addictions support groups – 10 people maximum.
• Public schools, pre-primary and private schools are closed.
• Meetings and training (indoor and outdoor) hosted by a business or organization are not permitted, including:
  • provincial and municipal governments
  • private businesses and organizations
  • first responder organizations
  • organized clubs
• Organized performing arts and sports are not permitted. Virtual gatherings and performances are permitted with a maximum of 5 people in 1 location.
• Businesses and organizations are not permitted to host events and activities (indoors or outdoors), including:
  • arts and culture events
  • festivals
  • social events
  • special events
  • sports (recreational, amateur and professional), recreational and physical activity events
  • wedding and funeral receptions and visitation
• Businesses and organizations offering a wide variety of indoor recreation activities (like indoor play areas, arcades, climbing facilities, dance classes and music lessons) must close.
• Indoor fitness establishments (like gyms, yoga studios and climbing facilities) and sport and recreation facilities (like pools, arenas, tennis courts and large multipurpose recreation facilities) must close.
• Outdoor fitness and recreation businesses and organized clubs can operate with up to 5 people maximum and must maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between participants during activities.
• Adult day programs for persons with disabilities funded by the Department of Community Services must close, except for scheduled vaccine clinics at these programs.
• Adult residential centres and regional rehabilitation centres licensed by the Department of Community Services are closed to visitors. Residents are not permitted to leave the facilities.
• Long-term care facilities are closed to visitors, except for designated caregivers. Residents are not permitted to leave the facilities.
• Regulated and unregulated health professions can remain open if they have an approved Workplace COVID-19 Prevention Plan.
• Museums, libraries and Art Gallery of Nova Scotia must close. Libraries can offer pick up and drop off for books and other materials.
• Personal services businesses (like hair salons, barber shops, spas, nail salons and body art establishments) must close.
• Casino Nova Scotia (Halifax and Sydney) is closed.
• First Nations gaming establishments must close.
• Video lottery terminals (VLTs) are not permitted to operate.
• Liquor licensed (drinking) establishments (like bars, wineries, distillery tasting rooms and craft taprooms) are restricted to take-out, delivery and drive-thru service only.
• Liquor licensed (drinking) establishments (like bars, wineries, distillery tasting rooms and craft taprooms) and unlicensed establishments (like community centres, charities and organized clubs) are not permitted to host activities (like bingo, darts, cards, pool and bowling).
• Restaurants are restricted to take-out, delivery and drive-thru service only.
• NSLC can operate at 25% capacity.
• Retail stores must close for in-person service unless the store provides services essential to the life, health or personal safety of individuals and animals. Essential service retail stores can operate at 25% capacity.
• Wearing a non-medical mask is required for staff, visitors and children 2 or older when they’re in indoor childcare settings.
• Wearing a non-medical mask is required outdoors when a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) can’t be consistently maintained, including playgrounds and parks.

27 April 2021

• Gathering limit and business and service restrictions changes include:
  • Recognized businesses and organizations are not permitted to host events and activities (indoors or outdoors), including:
    • arts and culture events
    • festivals
    • social events
    • special events
    • sports (recreational, amateur and professional), recreational and physical activity events
    • wedding and funeral receptions and visitation
  • Faith gatherings hosted by a recognized business or organization – 25% of the venue’s capacity up to 100 people maximum indoors or 150 people maximum outdoors with social distancing.
  • Wedding ceremonies and funerals hosted by a recognized business or organization can have up to 10 people plus the person conducting the ceremony (receptions and visitation are not permitted).
  • Gathering limit without social distancing for participants and officials in organized performing arts and sports – participants and officials in performing arts and sports (recreational, amateur and professional) can gather in groups of up to 10 people maximum indoors or 25 people maximum outdoors without social distancing for rehearsals, practices and training. Games, competitions, tournaments and in-person performances are not permitted. There can be virtual gatherings and performances with a maximum of 25 people with social distancing.
  • Gathering limit with social distancing for meetings and training (indoor and outdoor) – 25 people maximum when meetings and training are hosted by a recognized business or organization.
  • Businesses and organizations offering a wide variety of indoor recreation activities (like indoor play areas, arcades, climbing facilities, dance classes and music lessons) can have up to 50 people maximum participating in all activities (staff and clients).
  • Indoor fitness establishments (like gyms, yoga studios and climbing facilities) and sport and recreation facilities (like pools, arenas, tennis courts and large multipurpose recreation facilities) can operate at 50% capacity. Establishments and facilities need to follow the Health Protection Act Order and their sector-specific plan.
  • Outdoor fitness recreation businesses and organized clubs can operate with up to 25 people maximum and must maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between participants during activities.
  • Museums and libraries can operate at 50% capacity.
  • Personal services businesses (like hair salons, barber shops, spas, nail salons and body art establishments) can’t provide services that require a client to remove their mask.
  • Casino Nova Scotia (Sydney) can operate at 50% capacity and needs to follow the same hours as liquor licensed (drinking) establishments.
  • First Nations gaming establishments can operate at 50% capacity and need to follow the same hours as liquor licensed (drinking) establishments.
  • Video lottery terminals (VLTs) can operate at 50% capacity and need to follow the same hours as liquor licensed (drinking) establishments.
  • Liquor licensed (drinking) establishments (like bars, wineries, distillery tasting rooms and craft taprooms) can operate at 50% capacity, only serve dine-in customers until 11pm and must close by 12am. Liquor licensed establishments can continue to offer take-out, delivery and drive-thru service after 12am.
  • Liquor licensed (drinking) establishments (like bars, wineries, distillery tasting rooms and craft taprooms) and unlicensed establishments (like community centres, charities and organized clubs) can operate at 50% to host activities (like bingo, darts, cards, pool and bowling) following the Guidelines for Games and activities in licensed establishments (PDF).
  • Restaurants can operate at 50% capacity, only serve dine-in customers until 11pm and must close by 12am. Restaurants can continue to offer take-out, delivery and drive-thru service after 12am.
  • Retail stores can operate at 50% capacity if they follow the Health Protection Act Order.
  • Shopping malls can operate at 50% capacity if they follow the Health Protection Act Order.
  • School field trips are not permitted. School-organized activities that bring students from different schools together (like sports and music) are also not permitted.
  • Wearing a non-medical mask is required at private indoor workplaces (like offices or warehouses) in all common areas, places where there’s interaction with the public, areas with poor ventilation and areas where people can’t maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others.

Additional restrictions and protective measures are also in place for some locations – see Halifax County restriction alerts, Hants County restriction alerts, Lunenburg County restriction alerts and Guysborough County restriction alerts.

25 April 2021

• Gathering limit for close social groups (indoors and outdoors) is no more than 10 people. When your household goes into the community, your household can stay together outdoors without social distancing no matter how many people live in the household. Additional restrictions and protective measures are also in place for some locations – see Halifax County restriction alerts, Hants County restriction alerts, Lunenburg County restriction alerts and Guysborough County restriction alerts.
• People are not permitted to travel outside their local community unless it’s for essential travel like work, school, childcare, child custody reasons or medical and legal appointments.
• Fines for breaking any part of the order (like gathering limits, social distancing guidelines and self-isolation requirements) under the Health Protection Act Order are $2,000 for the first offence for individuals.

23 April 2021

• Additional restrictions and protective measures are in place for some Halifax, Hants, Lunenburg and Guysborough County locations. See Halifax County restriction alerts, Hants County restriction alerts, Lunenburg County restriction alerts and Guysborough County restriction alerts.
• Avoid non-essential travel to and from Halifax, Hants, Lunenburg and Guysborough County locations that have additional restrictions and protective measures in place. See Halifax County restriction alerts, Hants County restriction alerts, Lunenburg County restriction alerts and Guysborough County restriction alerts.
• All students in public schools (pre-primary to grade 12) must wear a non-medical mask.

22 April 2021

• People from outside Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador will not be allowed to enter Nova Scotia unless their travel is essential or they are permanent residents of Nova Scotia.Essential travel from outside Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador includes:
  • people who live in Nova Scotia and travel to their primary employment in another province or territory
  • federally approved temporary foreign workers
  • participating in essential in-person legal proceeding in another province or territory
  • students coming into Nova Scotia to study at a post-secondary institution located in the province
  • students studying returning to their primary or family residence in Nova Scotia and parents who accompany them
  • parents dropping off or picking up a student in Nova Scotia
  • people who can demonstrate that they have a new permanent address in Nova Scotia as of 21 April 2021 and are moving to the province permanently
  • people traveling for child custody reasons following the COVID-19 Child Custody Protocol (PDF)
  • people who are exempt from self-isolation following the COVID-19 Exempt traveller Protocol (PDF)
  • people travelling between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for work, school or childcare following the COVID-19 Nova Scotia-New Brunswick Travel Protocol (PDF)
• Rotational workers need to fully self-isolate when they first arrive in Nova Scotia. Once they receive their first negative test result, they can follow modified self-isolation.
• Travel from outside of Atlantic Canada is not allowed for attending funerals or services (like a burial or celebration of life) for a 4-week period and will only be considered under exceptional circumstances for visiting an immediate family member who is nearing end of life.

16 April 2021

• Individuals, recognized businesses or organizations hosting private events on private property (personal residence, cottage or private rental property like a cabin or cottage) need to follow the Private Property Event Guidelines (PDF).

15 April 2021

• People travelling between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick need to self-isolate when they arrive in Nova Scotia. They also need to complete a Nova Scotia Safe Check-in Form (self-declaration) before they travel to the province, including most travellers who are exempt from self-isolation. If you’re travelling for certain situations, you need to follow the COVID-19 Nova Scotia-New Brunswick Travel Protocol (PDF 237 kB).
• Wearing a non-medical mask is required at outdoor serviced seating like patios at restaurants and liquor licensed (drinking) establishments (except when you’re eating or drinking) and organized outdoor gatherings like public markets, special and temporary events where a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) can’t be consistently maintained.

7 April 2021

• Retail stores need to follow the Health Protection Act Order and their sector-specific plan, including operating at 100% capacity and maintaining a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between patrons.
• Shopping malls need to follow the Health Protection Act Order, including operating at 100% capacity and maintaining a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between patrons. Shopping malls also need to:
  • only allow lineups (indoor and outdoor) if patrons wear a non-medical mask
  • keep lineups for each retail store to no more than 10 people
  • keep music to 50 decibels
  • close non-retail public areas in the mall
  • maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between tables in food courts
• Fitness establishments (like gyms and yoga studios) need to follow the Health Protection Act Order and their sector-specific plan, including operating at 100% capacity and maintaining a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between participants during activities (indoor and outdoor).
• Gathering limit without social distancing for participants and officials in organized performing arts and sports – participants and officials in performing arts and sports (recreational, amateur and professional) can gather in groups of up to 75 people without social distancing for rehearsals, performances, practices and games within their regular competitive schedule.
• Travel within Atlantic Canada is permitted without the requirement to self-isolate when you arrive in or return to Nova Scotia. (Atlantic travel bubble).
• Exempt travellers need to follow the Health Protection Act Order and the COVID-19 Exempt traveller Protocol (PDF 175 kB), including completing a Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form before they arrive in Nova Scotia.

10 February 2021

• Travel within Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island is permitted without the requirement to self-isolate when you arrive in or return to Nova Scotia (Atlantic travel bubble).
• People travelling into Nova Scotia from outside Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island for non-essential reasons must self-isolate alone or with others who are self-isolating for the same period. If there are other people in the home, they must also self-isolate (everyone in the home where the traveller is self-isolating needs to self-isolate).

8 February 2021

• Retail stores need to follow the Health Protection Act Order, including limiting shoppers and staff to 75% of the store’s capacity.
• Fitness establishments (like gyms and yoga studios) need to follow the Health Protection Act Order and their sector-specific plan, including operating at 75% capacity and maintaining a minimum physical distance of 3 metres (9 feet) between participants during high intensity activities (indoor and outdoor).
• Recognized businesses and organizations can host in-person events and activities (indoors or outdoors), including:
  • arts and culture events
  • sports (recreational, amateur and professional), recreational and physical activity events
  • festivals
  • special events
  • social events
  • faith gatherings, weddings and funerals (including receptions and visitation)
  • bingo, darts and other activities hosted by licensed and unlicensed establishments following the Guidelines for Games and activities in licensed establishments (PDF 434 kB)

  Events and activities can only provide food and alcohol service until 10pm and must end by 11pm. Sport events may continue after 11pm if there’s extended time of play like overtime, but food and alcohol service must end by 10pm.

  Businesses and organizations need to make sure everyone in attendance follows the Health Protection Act Order.

• Indoor gathering limit with social distancing for events and activities hosted by a recognized business or organization – 50% of the venue’s capacity up to 100 people maximum indoors (including spectators of sports and performing arts).
• Outdoor gathering limit with social distancing for events and activities hosted by a recognized business or organization – 150 people maximum outdoors (including spectators of sports and performing arts).
• Gathering limit with social distancing for meetings and training (indoor and outdoor) – 150 people maximum outdoors or 50% of the venue’s capacity up to 100 people maximum indoors when meetings and training are hosted by a recognized business or organization, including:
  • provincial and municipal governments
  • private businesses and organizations
  • first responder organizations (emergency first responders are exempt from social distancing when necessary)
  • mental health and addictions support groups
  • organized clubs (meetings can follow Guidelines for Return to Day Camp (PDF 525 kB) to have groups with up to 15 people in each group without maintaining a physical distance of two metres (6 feet); different groups of 15 must maintain physical distance)
• Spectators and audience members are permitted at events (including sports, recreational and physical activity events, and arts and cultural events) if they stay in the designated viewing space and maintain a physical distance of two metres (6 feet) from the field of play or performance space. In-person spectators are not permitted at events held at a school.
• Recognized businesses and organizations hosting events and activities can have multiple groups of up to 100 people in each group if:
  • each group follows indoor and outdoor gathering limits for events and activities hosted by a recognized business or organization
  • the facility accommodates separate entrance and exit, concessions and washrooms for each group
  • the facility makes sure people in attendance follow social distancing guidelines
  • the facility has received Public Health approval of its Workplace COVID-19 Prevention Plan
• Scotiabank Centre (Halifax) and Centre 200 (Sydney) can host events with multiple groups of up to 150 people.

Letter to Premier on behalf of Retail Gasoline Dealers Association of Nova Scotia

Letter from Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board re: Pricing Relief Process for Independent Retailers

Draft Application for Relief to NS Utility and Review Board