Some spectators will be allowed at sports events in Nova Scotia.
Premier Stephen McNeil announced on Friday indoor gathering limits have been increased to 100 people up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the venue's capacity. Outdoor groups can be as large as 150. People are required to follow standard COVID-19 protocols at games and other gatherings but are allowed to be in their normal groups of 10 inside the venues.
"Your commitment to following the protocols reassures us that by opening up a little more, we should be OK," McNeil said. "This will allow people to watch their kids play sports, and cubs, guides and other clubs can now gather.
"But I want to say, this is a test for all of us. We're keeping our cases down but the moment we see a shift or a surge, a change in the number of cases, we will not hesitate to bring back restrictions. It really is up to all of us."
Games and events inside public schools are still not allowed to have any spectators. Large facilities that already have approved plans can resume hosting events with multiple groups of 100 that are kept separate with their own entrances and exits and their own washrooms. This was essentially the protocol in the fall.
"We're also keeping the restriction that limits sports teams and individual competitions to only playing against other teams and people who they would normally play or compete with," said Nova Scotia chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang.
Centre 200 in Sydney and the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax can have multiple groups of up to 150 because of their size. The Halifax Mooseheads and Cape Breton Eagles, along with the Charlottetown Islanders, have been playing games against each other without fans since last week but they can now return to similar restrictions that were in place in the fall.
There are still no plans at this time to allow games againt the three New Brunswick-based QMJHL teams.
“We are thrilled to be able to welcome back fans to the Scotiabank Centre," said Mooseheads president Brian Urquhart. "We feel very fortunate to live in a part of the world that allows fans to be in the building as we know that is not the case with a lot of teams across the country. We look forward to hearing the cheers from Mooseheads fans again next weekend.”
Gyms and other fitness facilities will also be allowed to operate at 75 per cent capacity, up from 50 per cent. The changes take effect on Monday and will stay in place until March 11.
There were no new cases in Nova Scotia on Friday and the known active total is now at eight.
"It has been a good week for our case numbers," Dr. Strang said. "However, I know that COVID-19 prevention fatigue is real. But we need to recognize and understand that the feeling of how tired we are and how long this is going on, we cannot afford to relax or become complacent simply because what we have been doing for almost a year is working.
"This is a pandemic, however it will end. But we do we have a way to go yet so we need to continue to keep ourselves, our community and each other safe."
