The COVID briefing is scheduled to begin at 3pm. it is being livestreamed here: https://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast/

We're about to start.

McNeil: we are very concerned about increasing numbers...

McNeil: one travel related issue. They self-isolated but exposed others in their household. Starting now, all travellers and household members must isolate together.

McNeil: if you let people into your house to self-isolate, you must self-isolate as well.

McNeil: we're worried about a cluster in Clayton Park.

McNeil: we're going to change the rules of rotational workers. Maybe like Newfoundland has.

McNeil: "this is very serious"

Strang: last week, we talked about 2 clusters, 1 in Northern and 1 in Central Zone. They're now contained.

Strang: we now have a cluster in Clayton Park. They're all connected, but there are potential exposures throughout HRM.

Strang: 3 specific locations, we want anyone who was at those places to get tested: Bitter End, Montanas, St. Andrews Church. Get tested, even if you don't experience symptoms. Details here: https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/featured/public-health-uses-a-definition-of-community-spread-of-covid-that-confuses-the-public/

Strang: there was "confusion" over the weekend, but we've straightened that out.

Strang: we're setting up mobile testing in Clayton Park.

Strang: there's no charge for testing, even if you don't have health insurance.

Strang: "we are at a tipping point... I had an anxious weekend."

Strang: anyone coming into the province must isolate alone for 14 days, and if they can't be alone, everyone in that household must start a 14-day isolation.

Strang gives the example, if a traveller goes to a hotel for 5 days, and then into a household, the 14-day isolation for the household starts when the traveller gets to the house.

Strang: you can't go to the grocery store, to school, etc.

Strang: exemptions still exist, but we're rapidly looking at how to tighten up those rules.

Strang: now is the time to be vigilant.

Strang: one of our cases is someone who was symptomatic but went out to socialize.

Strang: face shields don't replace the need for a mask.