COVID-19 Information

Please note: Due the provincial lock-down, the following groups are temporarily taking hiatus:

District 4
Acadian Group

District 5
Springhill
Pugwash

District 9
Sydney Central Group
The Pier Group
Goodwill Group
Friends of Bill W. Group

District 17
Three Mile Plains Fresh Start Group

Please check our meetings page to see updated meetings held on Zoom.

Click the link below for AA updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

aa.org/pages/en_US/update-on-covid-19-coronavirus

Protocols from the Nova Scotia Department of Health:

Maintain healthy everyday habits

Hand washing

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you’ve been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) when you can’t use soap and water and make sure you follow hand washing guidelines.

Coughs and sneezes

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Or use the inside of your elbow. Make sure you follow cough and sneeze guidelines.

Masks

Wear a mask in most indoor public spaces, if required by a business or workplace and when you can’t maintain a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others. You can spread COVID-19 to others even if you don’t feel sick. Wearing a mask helps protect you and those around you.

Social distancing

Limit your contact with other people and keep a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others. Keep your close social group of 10 consistent, as much as possible. Make sure you follow social distancing guidelines.

Staying home

Stay at home if you’re sick to avoid spreading illness to others. You should also stay home if think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. You could be carrying the virus without knowing it.

Avoiding infection

Follow gathering limits and self-isolation guidelines

Public gatherings

Understand the limits that apply to public gatherings, businesses and workplaces. You need to follow the gathering limit, unless your group has an exemption identified in the Health Protection Act Order.

Self-isolation

Check the self-isolate requirements to see if you’re legally required to self-isolate for 14 days or as directed by Public Health. Most people entering Nova Scotia from outside the province (or returning to the province) must self-isolate for 14 days (unless you’ve only travelled within Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador in the past 14 days). Stay home if you feel sick or have any symptoms, even if mild.

Self-isolation requirements

Monitor your health

Mental health

Pay attention to mental health. Check in with how friends are feeling and offer support. Support for mental health and wellbeing is available for children, youth and adults.

Symptoms

Watch for symptoms. Symptoms can vary from person to person and in different age groups. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19. It’s especially important if you’re going to public places, your workplace and settings where it’s difficult to keep a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others.

Book a COVID-19 test

You need to complete a COVID-19 Self-assessment to book a test, even if you don’t have symptoms. You can call 811 for assessment if you’re unable to complete the COVID-19 Self-assessment online (or to speak with a nurse).

Symptoms and testing

Stay informed and be prepared

Stay informed, be prepared and continue to follow Public Health advice. Before going out, consider the risks and make informed choices to keep yourself, your family and your community safe.

Be prepared if you’re planning to be in a setting where you can’t maintain a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) and may come into frequent contact with others. Be aware of and follow safety measures that businesses and organizations have in place to protect you and employees.

Restriction updates

Protocols from the Newfoundland Department of Health:

Your responsibility:

• Follow Public Health Guidance for All Alert Levels.
• People can move about more. Those at higher risk of complications due to COVID-19 should stay at home as much as possible, except to get essentials like groceries and medications.
• Your household bubble can interact with up to 20 close, consistent contacts from outside your household (Steady 20).
• If you have COVID-19 symptoms please use the Self-Assessment and Testing Referral tool, or contact 811 when online services are not accessible.
• Wear a non-medical mask when you are in public indoor settings. This includes when you are seated, except in restaurants and lounges.

Public Spaces and Gatherings:

• Formal gatherings run by a recognized business or organization are limited to no more than 50 people. Physical distancing must be maintained.
• Public visitations are permitted, with one household bubble visiting at a time. Wakes are prohibited.
• Informal gatherings are limited to only those in your Steady 20.

Recreational Activities:

• Outdoor playgrounds and equipment can be used, where owner/operators allow.
• Gym and fitness facilities, yoga studios, swimming pools, tennis and squash facilities, arenas, and dance studios are permitted to open, in accordance with guidelines.
• Group and team sport, arts and recreation activities are permitted, in accordance with guidelines.
• Performance spaces can open with a maximum capacity of 50 people. Physical distancing must be maintained.

Health care services:

• Private health care clinics can open in accordance with guidelines.
• Visitor restrictions for acute care, long term care, personal care homes, community care homes, and assisted living facilities are in accordance with the Guidelines for Support Persons/Designated Visitors.

Businesses and Services:

• Child care services can operate at full capacity.
• Retail stores, including those in shopping malls, can open at reduced capacity. Physical distancing must be maintained.
• Personal service establishments, including spas, esthetic services, hair salons, body piercing, tattooing and tanning salons, can open in accordance with guidelines.
• Restaurants can open for in-person dining at 50 per cent capacity as long as physical distancing can be maintained between patrons seated at adjacent tables. Buffets are prohibited.
• Bars and lounges are permitted to open at 50 per cent capacity, in accordance with guidelines.
• Cinemas and bingo halls are permitted to open with a maximum capacity of 50 people per room. Physical distancing must be maintained.

Please Note: these links do not represent affiliation. They are simply provided for our members reference.