Second COVID-19 case confirmed at N.S. legislature

A second case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at the Nova Scotia Legislature, which was recently closed to the public as a result of the first positive case.

On Saturday, Speaker Keith Bainsent out a memo announcing that someone who was inside Province House last Thursday and Friday had tested positive for the coronavirus.

That person was later confirmed to be a PC MLA.

Bain's decision to close the legislature to the public was met with allegations of a double standard.

The rules forProvince House are in stark contrast to other public venues where access to buildings, particularly schools, isnot being restricted when there are COVID-19 exposures in those places.

As well, Bain has mandated that masksbe worn inside the legislature. Masksare no longer required in almost every other public building in the province, with the exception of health care facilities, jails and courts. Schools are continuing to mandate masks until mid-April, althoughthe province lifted COVID-19 public health restrictions on March 21.

On Monday,Liberal Leader Iain Rankin said heagrees with Nova Scotians who claim there's now a double standard, saying that if restrictions are lifted elsewhere in the province, "then they shouldn't be on in the legislature."

Premier Tim Houston, who appointed the Speaker, also criticized Bain's decision.

"There absolutely should never be two different standards for politicians and the public," Houston tweeted on Monday, pointing outthe decision was made by the Speaker's Office "on their own."

On Monday, the Speaker's office defended the decision to close the legislature to the public.

"The Speaker considered public health recommendations, the voluntary notification of a positive case, and the unique environment and responsibilities of the legislature to reach his decision," it said in astatement.

The Speaker's office is recommending anyone who has been at Province House since the spring sitting began last Thursday to get tested for COVID-19.

MORE TOP STORIES