Nova Scotia needs phased response to increase in COVID-19 cases

Halifax -- As Nova Scotia experiences an increase in COVID-19 cases, the NDP Caucus is renewing its call for the Liberal government to put a phased approach in place for adding or removing public health restrictions.

“If we’ve learned anything throughout the last eight months, it’s that people are concerned about how COVID-19 impacts their day-to-day lives,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “We need a clear, well-communicated plan from the Liberal government to help people prepare for changes in our response to the pandemic.”

In every other province in Canada, there is a public system of stages or phases that the general public can review and understand when changes to restrictions have to be made.

“There has been a systemic lack of clarity from the Liberal government which leads to anxiety and stress about following the rules,” said Burrill. “When New Brunswick says a region of the province is now in the ‘Orange Phase’ everyone has an idea of what that means for what’s open and closed. Having that kind of general understanding would help ensure people in Nova Scotia know what to expect as things continue to change.”

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