Beginning at 12:01am, Monday October 4, 2021, Nova Scotia will enter a modified Phase 5 of its reopening plan.
In order to provide consistency across the Diocese and address questions and concerns raised by Parishes, their clergy and members, The Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island has developed a guideline document:
Diocesan Protocols in Response to COVID-19: Loving God, Loving Neighbour as Self
This document can be found at: Diocesan Protocols in Response to Covid-19 | Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (nspeidiocese.ca)
Highlights of the guideline document include:
- The Diocese requires that all parishes continue to maintain contact-tracing records (attendance records)
- The Diocese continues to require all attending indoor worship or events in our church buildings wear a mask or face covering
- While the province has eased restrictions on gathering limits and physical distancing requirements for Faith Based gatherings, the Diocese recommends that parishes continue to maintain physical distancing between family/ social contact bubbles
- The Diocese encourages all people who are medically able to be vaccinated against COVID-19
- The Diocese will not require proof of vaccination for those who attend worship or other faith gatherings
- The Diocese expects all clergy, parish employees and volunteers who are medically able to be vaccinated against COVID-19
- Proof of vaccination will be required for everyone attending a funeral or wedding
- All those attending receptions must be fully vaccinated.
- Parishes must collect contact tracing information and request proof of vaccination
- Meetings that are open to the public will require that attendees are fully vaccinated.
- Proof of vaccination will be required.
- In Nova Scotia if the meeting is not open to the public, proof of vaccination is not required.