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From left: Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, Health Minister Michelle Thompson and Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health take questions at a COVID-19 briefing in Halifax on Sept. 29.
Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press
Visitors will need to show proof of vaccination when entering a hospital in Nova Scotia starting next week.
Nova Scotia Health announced visitors, including support people and designated caregivers, will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 starting Oct. 13.
The new rule also includes people accompanying patients who are entering hospitals or clinics for appointments or procedures.
Exemptions may be made for emergency situations and end-of-life care, officials said Thursday.
Proof of vaccination will not, however, be required for patients seeking care or receiving treatment.
The measure comes after the provincial government announced a vaccination mandate for workers in the health-care and education sectors late last month.
A mandatory vaccination mandate has also been put in place for employees with the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The city says all municipal employees will need to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 15. Those who aren’t vaccinated by then will face consequences including unpaid administrative leave unless they can provide an exemption.
The vaccine mandate will also be a condition of employment for new municipal hires.
Meanwhile, the province reported 30 new cases of COVID-19, of which 26 are in the central health zone including Halifax, where there is spread among unvaccinated residents.
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There are also two cases each in the western and eastern zones.
The number of active cases sits at 247 due to 36 new recoveries reported. Sixteen people are in hospital, including five in ICU.
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.